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Waste Management

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

Questions (89, 90, 91, 92)

Matt Shanahan

Question:

89. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the additional commercial concerns that can compete in the farm plastics recycling market place and receive access to the levy contributions as would be required in terms of open competition (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48405/21]

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Matt Shanahan

Question:

90. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the initiatives his Department is taking in terms of improving the recycling rates of farm plastics (details supplied); the access to levy payments that has been offered to private contractors to provide alternative collection opportunities on and off-farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48406/21]

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Matt Shanahan

Question:

91. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on concerns regarding issues of restricted competition or his Department’s support for a possible monopoly situation in the management of farm plastic recycling given that it appears that his Department has only licensed one entity for this activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48407/21]

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Matt Shanahan

Question:

92. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the evaluations that have been carried out on licensed farm plastic film recycling sites in view of actions against a facility (details supplied); the location and licensing status of these sites; the storage capacity these sites are currently using or exceeding; the environmental protections and analysis that have been carried out in the past year with respect to these other sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48408/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 to 92, inclusive, together.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy model in which a producer's responsibility is extended beyond the consumer stage of a product's life cycle. There are a number of these schemes operating in Ireland and they have proved very successful in enabling us meet domestic and EU recycling targets. The EPR scheme for farm plastics has been in place since 1998 and has grown significantly since then. The existing arrangements are functioning very effectively and the targets in place are being achieved, with a recycling rate for 2020 reaching 80% significantly exceeding the target of 70%.

The regulations allow for any organisation to apply to the Minister for approval to operate a scheme. Any application will be assessed and evaluated by the Department. There is currently one approved body operating a farm plastic scheme, Irish Farm Film Plastics Group (IFFPG). Their approval was renewed earlier this year following a lengthy process and the renewal will last for a five year period, subject to periodic reviews. 

The current funding mechanisms used by IFFPG for farm plastic collection is in line with the polluter pays principle and EU requirements, with producers funding 70% of the necessary costs of the scheme and farmers contributing the remaining  30% of the costs. The fees collected are used by the operator to fund the operational costs of the scheme which is run on a not for profit basis.

Local authorities have a key role in ensuring compliance with the farm plastics regulations and broader waste legislation obligations. The Department supports local authorities taking appropriate enforcement action against individuals or corporate entities through the appropriate channels. The Department is also aware that the National Trans Frontier Shipment Office (NTFSO) are liaising with a number of local authorities to ascertain the extent of the storage of farm plastics and the implications for waste shipments abroad.  An effective system of waste management compliance is critical to the welfare of the environment and society in general.

Question No. 90 answered with Question No. 89.
Question No. 91 answered with Question No. 89.
Question No. 92 answered with Question No. 89.
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