Vol. 488 No. 4
243 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the arrangements, if any, in place in his Department and in any State agency or body under his control to encourage or enforce the reuse or recycling of paper and, in particular, of envelopes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6173/98]
My Department is anxious to ensure that, as far as possible, good environmental practice is integrated into all aspects of its operations, including the use of paper products and disposal of waste. In this context, it is committed to using recycled paper where quality, suitability and cost considerations allow.
For example, in 1997, the Department ordered some 17 million envelopes made from recycled paper. Arrangements are also in place in the Department to enable staff to reuse envelopes for internal use although the Deputy will appreciate that almost all envelopes used by the Department are issued to members of the public in connection with claims for payments and other business. The three agencies under the aegis of the Department — the Combat Poverty Agency, the Pensions Board and the National Social Services Board — generally use envelopes made from shredded or environmentally friendly paper.
