Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which efforts continue to be made to reduce the use of plastic with particular reference to banning certain products and activities to protect our seas and marine life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29044/23]
View answerThe Single Use Plastics Directive (Directive EU 2019/904), adopted in 2019, aims to reduce the volume and impact of single-use plastics on the environment by targeting the ten most commonly-found single-use plastic items found on European beaches which, alongside fishing gear, represent 70% of all marine litter in the EU, and which therefore affect our seas and marine life.
The Directive was transposed into Irish law in July 2021 through the Single Use Plastics Regulations, which banned a range of single-use plastic items, including cutlery, plates, beverage stirrers, food containers and beverage cups and containers made of expanded polystyrene, and all products made from oxo-degradable plastic.
The regulations also include mandatory labelling for certain products, informing consumers of the presence of plastic and the impact that littering and inappropriate disposal of those products has on the environment, including the marine environment.
In addition, the regulations mandate the establishment of a number new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. EPRs have already been established for packaging items and for tobacco filter products containing plastic, while those for wet wipes, balloons, and fishing gear will be in place from end 2024. Producers of these products have a responsibility to finance the collection and environmentally-sound waste management of their products at end of life.
Specifically in relation to fishing gear containing plastic, Ireland has new obligations under the Single Use Plastics Directive:
• Ireland is required to monitor and report on fishing gear placed on the market and waste fishing gear collected. The first return of data is due by July 2024.
• Ireland is required to set an annual national, non-binding, minimum collection rate for waste fishing gear containing plastic. The collection rate published for 2023 is 100 tonnes.
