Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 1

Written Answers. - Paper Recycling

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

247 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the arrangements which are available for the collection and recycling of waste paper; whether he considers these arrangements to be adequate; whether he has any new proposals in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Miss Harney)

There is a wide number of interests involved in the collection of waste paper for recycling purposes. While some of these have received recycling grants from my Department, I do not have details of all of the interests involved.

Substantial capacity exists in Ireland for the recycling of cardboard and office white materials. This is not the case for newsprint, which at present must largely be exported for recycling.

The environment action programme set out a number of initiatives to encourage higher levels of recycling. These included the preparation of recycling schemes by local authorities and, as mentioned above, the provision of grants for recycling activities. In addition, the IDA commissioned an examination of possibilities for productive economic activities based on recycling.

With a view to increasing waste recycling levels generally, my Department have commissioned a study to assess the overall potential for recycling in Ireland from the domestic/commercial waste stream; the brief for this includes examining the scope for improving markets for recyclable materials.