Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
126. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work his Department is undertaking in order to eliminate the use of materials which can neither be recycled or reused in keeping with the Circular Economy Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9375/22]
View answerThe Circular Economy Bill 2022 aims to support Ireland’s transition to a circular economy by providing the necessary legislative basis for several key measures including the Circular Economy Strategy; the Circular Economy Programme; the National Food Loss Prevention Roadmap; and the Circular Economy Fund.
As Minister of State for the Environment, Climate and Communications, I will have the power to introduce environmental levies on certain single-use items, including single-use cups, containers and packaging, and to prohibit their placing on the market where a suitable re-usable alternative is, or could be made, readily available. These measures will be introduced by means of secondary legislation. The Bill will also provide for the inclusion of targets related to reuse and repair in Waste Management Plans, with the aim of saving resources, reducing emissions and preventing waste.
