Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004
331 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has carried out studies on the way in which the system zero waste being discussed by some public representatives (details supplied) actually works; if he has knowledge of the locations at which it is in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21130/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment policy in relation to waste management is firmly grounded on the internationally recognised hierarchy of waste management options of prevention, re-use and recycling, energy recovery and environmentally secure disposal of residual wastes. Waste management approaches have been and will continue to be the subject of review and debate internationally. Proponents of the "zero waste" approach have argued that it is possible to rely entirely on prevention, minimisation, re-use and recycling. However, my Department is not aware of any country or jurisdiction in which waste management strategies have actually delivered on the solution of "zero waste". Effective waste minimisation and recovery is central to the Government's approach to waste management and I am bringing forward, and allocating funding towards, a range of new initiatives, including the recently announced national waste prevention programme and the market development programme for recyclable materials. There will, however, continue to be residual waste and the challenge is to ensure that this is managed in the most environmentally appropriate manner.
