Recycling Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021

Thursday, 21 October 2021

Questions (158)

Réada Cronin

Question:

158. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the purpose for which the cumulative contents of brown bins is used; if the contents of brown bins could be processed and used to assist growers such as mushroom producers who may be reliant on imported peat; if the contents of brown bins are tested for the forever chemicals and PFAS; and if so, the levels at which they occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51806/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

Material composted in industrial compost plants is used in agriculture, horticulture, and landscaping.At present, the substrate for growing mushrooms is generally made from horse and poultry manures with a thin layer of peat on top. Further research is required to determine if alternatives to peat are suitable and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has recently issued a Research Call for 2021 - one thematic area is looking for research projects to find “Alternative bio-resources and materials as raw materials for growing media”. Earlier this year the EPA-funded research project was published ‘Development of Quality Standards for Compost and Digestate in Ireland’, in this study it recommended that quality standards include testing for organic pollutants PAH16 which is in line with the EU Fertiliser Regulations. This research report will feed into the potential development of national end of waste standards for compost and digestate.