Vol. 551 No. 2
346 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the types of materials he plans to ban from landfill sites; when he proposes to implement such a ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9831/02]
When launching the policy statement, Preventing and Recycling Waste: Delivering Change, on 4 March, I stated that a national ban on landfilling of specific materials would be introduced this year. Such a ban would, in the first instance, address materials which are readily recyclable, for example, glass, paper, aluminium and elements of the construction and demolition waste stream.
The introduction of any such ban will be considered in the context of related initiatives which are currently under way. For example, a task force established by my Department is reviewing the Waste Management (Packaging Regulations), 1997 and the outcome of this review is expected to reform commercial packaging waste management. In the context of the implementation of the Task Force on Construction and Demolition Waste, I have also declared my intention to ban the landfilling of unsegregated construction and demolition waste. Action in this regard will be advanced in parallel to the work of the proposed National Construction and Demolition Waste Council which is shortly to be established. The banning of tyres from landfills will arise in future years under the EU landfill directive.
347 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the details of his proposals to establish procedural responsibilities initiatives in 2002 to recycle newsprint, tyres and batteries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9832/02]
The policy statement, Preventing and Recycling Waste: Delivering Change, contains objectives to establish producer responsibility initiatives in the areas referred to in the question. These initiatives are at various stages of development as set out below.
