Vol. 540 No. 1
70 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the targets and timescale for the reduction of biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill; the measures he will take to reach these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19718/01]
Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste provides that, not later than July 2003, member states must prepare a national strategy for the reduction of biodegradable waste going to landfills. Progressive targets are set in the directive so that biodegradable municipal waste quantities consigned to landfill must be reduced to 35% of the total amount, by weight, of this waste produced in 1995 by 2016.
These targets were anticipated in the 1998 policy statement, Changing our Ways, which provided, inter alia, for a minimum 65% reduction over 15 years in biodegradable wastes consigned to landfill and the development of composting and other feasible biological treatment facilities capable of treating up to 300,000 tonnes of biodegradable waste per annum. These targets have also informed the development by local authorities of local and regional waste management plans and pilot composting projects have already been put in place by a number of local authorities.
We will shortly publish a policy statement on waste prevention and recovery. This will address in detail a range of practical considerations relevant to the achievement of recycling policy objectives and targets and will outline a variety of measures to be undertaken in support of better national performance in this area.
The 1998 Changing our Ways document stated that composting and other biological treatment facilities capable of treating up to 300,000 tonnes of biodegradable waste per annum would be put in place. How much of that has been put in place? How many tonnes of biodegradable waste per annum are being composted or treated in other ways?
Will the Minister of State consider the rate of recycling of paper, which is a biodegradable product? What plans does he intend to put in place to reach the proposed recycling targets in that area?
Aside from telling local authorities what they should do, will the Minister of State highlight even one initiative the Government has taken to encourage or incentivise the emergence of a recycling industry in Ireland?
A number of home composting schemes have been set up by local authorities with each scheme receiving funding under the waste management sub-programme of the Operational Programme for Environmental Services, 1994-99. Centralised composting of municipal waste is under development in south Dublin green waste, Limerick green waste and kitchen waste and Kerry green waste and kitchen waste.
In an overall context, waste management plans will come on stream shortly and local authorities will have an opportunity to intensify recycling efforts. In the past, there was much focus on landfill and thermal treatment facilities. However, the focus must move to recycling. Grants will be available and we can work together to ensure we meet our national and EU targets.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
