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Recycling Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Questions (74)

James Lawless

Question:

74. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans in place to tackle the plastic crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42727/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy details the measures that will be adopted to achieve optimum results in the area of plastics and packaging. The over-riding objective is to ensure that all packaging placed on the Irish market is reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. It sets out a level of ambition which will position Ireland as a frontrunner towards the attainment of EU packaging recycling targets including:

- overall packaging recycling rates of 65% by 2025 and 70% by 2030 and

- material specific plastic recycling rates of 50% by 2025 and 55% by 2030.

The Plan also outlines the measures Ireland is taking under the Single Use Plastics Directive (EU 2019/904) to substantially reduce the amount of single use plastic items we use and to sustainably manage the waste arising from those we do. From 3 July this year single use plastic cutlery, plates, stirrers, straws, balloon sticks and cotton bud sticks may not be placed on the Irish market. This ban also applies to single use expanded polystyrene cups and food containers and all products containing oxo-degradable plastic. In addition, I will shortly be establishing the regulatory framework for a deposit and refund scheme that will become operational in Ireland next year and will ensure plastic bottles and aluminium cans are collected and managed in the most sustainable manner.

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