Waste Management.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2005

Thursday, 17 February 2005

Ceisteanna (45)

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

45 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the total weight of waste that her Department produces within its own offices in the last year for which figures are available; the breakdown of the weight produced by paper, glass, aluminium and steel cans, textiles, plastics, organic waste, electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, hazardous waste and mixed waste respectively; the percentage of weight in each category which is recycled; and the details of any contracts her Department has for this disposal, reduction or re-use of waste. [5421/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Figures are not available for quantities of waste disposed of by my Department. However, every effort is made to dispose of waste in an environmentally friendly way. All confidential waste paper is put in colour coded bags and taken away for recycling by a contracted company. Cooked food waste from our staff restaurant is liquidised for disposal. Computer equipment, such as PCs, printers and associated hardware, as well as electrical waste such as bulbs, etc., are disposed of through waste recycling companies in the most financially advantageous manner possible. Equipment has also been donated to schools on an ad hoc basis. All printer toners are recycled through a charitable organisation.