Vol. 540 No. 1
365 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his expectations regarding the provision of an adequate waste disposal and recycling regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20181/01]
366 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his preferred choice in terms of waste management with particular reference to landfill, recycling and incineration; the extent to which he has the necessary plans in place to meet current and future requirements in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20182/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together.
As outlined in the 1998 policy statement Changing our Ways, overall Government policy on waste management is based on the internationally recognised waste hierarchy which prioritises prevention, minimisation, reuse, recycling, energy recovery and environmentally sustainable disposal of waste which cannot be prevented or recovered.
Changing our Ways set targets to be achieved over a 15 year period, including a diversion of 50% of overall household waste away from landfill, a minimum 65% reduction in bio-degradable waste consigned to landfill, the development of composting and other biological treatment facilities capable of treating up to 300,000 tonnes of biodegradable waste per annum, and recycling of 35% of municipal waste.
Having regard to these targets, current and proposed regional waste management plans provide for household segregation and separate collection of organic waste and dry recyclables in urban areas, an extended network of "bring" facilities in rural areas, an increased network of civic amenity sites and waste transfer stations, a range of centralised composting and other biological treatment facilities, thermal treatment and energy recovery, and environmentally sound disposal of residual wastes.
