Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2005
510 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the introduction of kerbside collection of recyclable materials on a national basis; the likely cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14335/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraA significant proportion of households already have kerbside collection of dry recyclables. At the end of 2003, the most recent period for which national data is available, 563,681 households had a dry recyclable collection, comprising more than 40% of households in the State, and this will have further increased in the intervening period. My Department is not in a position to estimate the cost of rolling out kerbside collection to all remaining households as collection costs vary significantly depending on location.
I am pleased at the continuous improvements in the levels of recycling being achieved. Approximately 28% of municipal waste is now being diverted from landfill, which is a substantial improvement on the situation in 2001 when it stood at under 10%. Kerbside collection has a key part to play in this, but I also remain committed to enhancing the network of bring centres and civic amenity sites which often accept materials that cannot be put in a green bin and which all householders can use.
