Vol. 495 No. 1
280 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to reduce waste by facilitating a simplification and standardisation of packaging types in the manufacturing, distribution and retailing sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19117/98]
282 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has, to exercise the powers available to him under sections 28 (4) (j) of the Waste Management Act of 1996 to set packaging standards and to encourage the reuse of materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19119/98]
283 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has, to exercise the powers available to him under section 29 (4) (f) of the Waste Management Act, 1996, to introduce a refund scheme based on a levy system for aluminium drink cans and standard size and shape glass bottles for beverages, and to encourage these containers to be returned to the nearest outlet and from there to the nearest producer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19120/98]
I propose to take Question Nos. 280, 282 and 283 together.
Under article 18 of European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste, member states may not impede the placing on the market of packaging which satisfies the provisions of the directive, i.e., which is in accordance with the essential requirements on the composition and the reusable and recoverable nature of packaging, specified in Annex II of the directive and transposed into Irish legislation by means of the Waste Management (Packaging) (Amendment) Regulations, 1998.
281 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has, to exercise the powers available to him under section 28 (4) (c) of the Waste Management Act, 1996, to set targets for the detoxification of the waste stream; whether he is considering measures including prohibiting the use of PVC packaging and providing for the separate collection, at local authority level, of household hazardous waste, for example, as is the case in Denmark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19118/98]
The Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations, 1997, make provision for the progressive reduction of the concentration levels of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium in packaging and packaging components.
I am currently monitoring the development of initiatives in other member states aimed at reducing the hazardous nature of particular waste streams, including a number of voluntary programmes for the reduction or elimination of PVC in packaging. I understand also that the European Commission is considering proposals for wide ranging initiatives in relation to PVC.
The separate collection and recovery of hazardous materials in household waste will be addressed in the context of the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan being prepared by the EPA, which is expected to incorporate recommendations in this regard. Consideration will also be had to a draft European Commission proposal for a Council Directive amending Council Directive 91/689/EEC on hazardous waste, which addresses the collection and recovery of household hazardous waste.
