Waste Management

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2024

Thursday, 22 February 2024

Questions (106)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

106. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has had engagements with disposable nappy manufacturers to explore whether a more sustainable approach to disposing of used disposable nappies could be established (details supplied); the estimated percentage of nappies used for children deemed to be disposable versus reusable; if local communities can be empowered to help address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8550/24]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

An effective transition to a circular economy in Ireland will transform the way materials and resources are consumed, and how the products that households and businesses use are designed and marketed. It will also prevent waste generation, reduce consumption, and extend the productive life of goods. Delivering a circular economy will ensure a focus and increased consumer awareness on the broader impacts of consumption patterns beyond waste generation and enable more sustainable consumer choices.

Rather than engaging with individual sectors of the consumer goods market, for example producers of disposable nappies, my focus continues to be on changing consumption patterns across the economy as a whole. My Department therefore does not hold the specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to nappy usage in Ireland.