Thomas Gould
Question:155. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a national waste management strategy has been developed in conjunction with Ireland 2040 plans. [14926/22]
View answerTuesday, 22 March 2022
Questions (155, 156, 157)
Thomas Gould
Question:156. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that the State will manage the additional waste expected by population growth under Ireland 2040, given the current need to export waste. [14927/22]
View answerThomas Gould
Question:157. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration has been given to the development of a public service for waste collection given that the current profit incentive is not effectively reducing waste production or creating proper recycling infrastructure.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14928/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 155, 156 and 157 together.
The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE) , which was published in September 2020, contains over 200 measures that will be delivered over a five-year period. Delivery of its objectives will be instrumental in meeting the challenges identified in the Ireland 2040 project, with a key focus on minimising waste generation and extending the productive life of the materials we use. Some measures have been delivered already, such as the inclusion of soft plastics in the household recycling bin. A large number of transformational measures, such as the introduction of a Deposit and Return Scheme, are well-advanced and others will be introduced through the forthcoming Circular Economy Bill, such as provisions to improve segregation of waste in the commercial sector, and a national food waste prevention roadmap.
Local Authorities are statutorily responsible for the preparation of Waste Management plans. Regional Waste Management Planning Offices are currently preparing a new National Waste Management Plan, informed by, inter alia, the National Planning Framework. The plan will set out the required actions at local and regional levels to deliver on the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE) and support Ireland's circular economy transition.
The new National Plan will contain targets for reuse, repair, resource consumption and recycling through measures such as:
- the introduction of a Deposit and Return Scheme;
- the application of incentivised pricing to commercial waste;
- the enhanced use of civic amenity sites as circular economy hubs;
- supporting the development of indigenous treatment capacity to reduce reliance on export.
The National Waste Management Plan will be published in 2022.
Question No. 156 answered with Question No. 155.
Question No. 157 answered with Question No. 155.