Alan Farrell
Question:39. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the banning of single-use plastics here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29941/20]
View answerTuesday, 13 October 2020
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EU Directive 2019/904 commonly referred to as the Single Use Plastics Directive, seeks to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. In keeping with the provisions of this Directive l will ban a range of single use plastic products from being placed on the market in Ireland from 3rd July 2021. The following single use plastic items will be banned:
- Straws
- Plates
- Cutlery
- Beverage stirrers
- Polystyrene food and beverage containers
- Cotton bud sticks
- Balloon sticks
- All oxo-degradable products.
On 4 September I launched the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. This Plan outlines ambitious plans for the banning of a further range of single use plastic products including, but not limited to, non-medical wet wipes, hotel toiletry bottles and sugar and condiment sachets. The plan also contains a range of measures to tackle disposable coffee cups including a levy, actions to ban their unnecessary use and an eventual full ban.