Vol. 415 No. 1
321 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline (1) the initiatives that have been taken to encourage greater recycling to help protect the environment and to conserve our natural resources, (2) the products which are being recycled and (3) the extent to which recycling is being developed in this country.
The environment action programme set out a number of initiatives to encourage a higher level of recycling. These included the preparation of recycling schemes by local authorities, and the provision of grants for recycling activities. In addition, the IDA commissioned an examination of possibilities for productive economic activities based on recycling.
While recycling rates in Ireland are still below those achieved in certain other EC member states, nonetheless considerable progress has been made. For example, glass recycling has increased from 8 per cent to 20 per cent since 1986 and can recycling has risen in the same period from a position of virtually zero to 10 per cent.
My Department has recently commissioned a study to assess the overall potential for recycling in this country and to advise on strategies for increasing recycling levels.
