Vol. 438 No. 5
73 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment the progress and plans, if any, he has to implement the EC directive on containers of liquid for human consumption 85/339/EEC in view of the growing trend in Ireland, but not in other developed countries, towards greater use of one-trip containers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Wexford): Ireland was the first member state to submit to the European Commission, in 1987, a national programme for implementation of Directive 85/339/EEC on containers of liquids for human consumption. The success of this programme may be measured by the increased rate of glass bottle recovery (from 6 per cent to its current level of some 29 per cent) and of metal can recovery (from zero to 16 per cent since 1987). Directive 85/339/EEC is being replaced by a wider measure which, when adopted, will apply to all forms of packaging and packaging waste.
The national recycling strategy which is currently at an advanced stage of preparation, will aim to optimise all practicable methods of waste recycling in Ireland. It will address the requirements of packaging waste recycling generally, including the question of appropriate reuse systems.
