Richard Bruton
Question:186. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to support the provision of segregated bins in public places which have high usage. [57060/21]
View answerTuesday, 23 November 2021
Questions (186)
Written answers
While waste management planning, including with regard to infrastructure provision such as on-street public bins, is the responsibility of local authorities under Part II of the Waste Management Act, 1996 (as amended), the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy contains a commitment to examine how segregated waste and recycling bins using uniform labelling could be provided on street, at public events and festivals. In this regard, a Dublin City Council led pilot campaign, #CircleCity, was launched in October 2020 with the aim of building a culture of on-the-go recycling, with 25 recycling bins being installed on Grafton Street and Henry Street during the first phase of the campaign. Initial audits carried out on the performance of this first phase have so far reported positive results. The most recent audit found that 83% of plastic bottles and cans in the areas covered by the recycling initiative are now ending up in the recycling bins, as opposed to the general waste. The overall quantity of plastic bottles and cans being recycled through the new bins has more than doubled since launch and it is expected that 48,180 plastic bottles and 38,870 cans which would otherwise end up in landfill will be recycled each year.
The second phase of the Dublin City Council #CircleCity campaign has recently been launched which will double the number of recycling bins installed along busy streets in Dublin city centre and allow expansion into other areas including St. Andrew’s Street.
When completed, the results of this pilot campaign will provide valuable insights and help inform the ongoing engagement between my Department and the local authority sector on how best to deliver on this commitment nationally.