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Environmental Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2018

Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Ceisteanna (474)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

474. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the negative impact on the environment through overuse of plastic packaging; his plans to implement policies that will reduce Ireland's carbon footprint by reducing reliance on plastic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18022/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Our use of plastic has increased exponentially in recent decades. Plastics feature across a wide range of applications and products, such as packaging, construction, electrics and electronics. The effects of plastic on the environment have been well publicised.

In terms of plastic packaging, Repak, the producer responsibility scheme tasked with managing packing in Ireland, has been working with its members (including all the major retailers)  to identify ways to reduce or optimise packaging.  Repak members pay fees based on the amount of packaging they place on the market and this incentivises them to reduce packaging.

A lot of work has been done by Repak members to prevent and minimise the amount of packaging they require. With the assistance of the EPA, Repak’s Prevent and Save initiative has worked with Irish business to reduce packaging and to promote packaging improvements across industry. Under the initiative, specialist packaging technologists look for ways to optimise the packaging used and to minimise any resulting packaging waste.

At European level, I recently wrote to the European Commissioner with responsibility for the environment to welcome the  recently published plastics strategy. I assured him Ireland fully embraced the ambitions of the new strategy. I asked the Commission to focus, in particular, on the most difficult non-recyclable plastics such as soft wrapping, film and single use items such as coffee cups and plastic straws. I am determined to make sure these products, if they come onto the market here or elsewhere in Europe, will be recycled or biodegradable and that they will not go into landfill sites.

I am looking forward to the Commission proposing within the next month EU-wide actions to tackle single use plastic items.  I believe that working proactively with our European colleagues will achieve a major environmental benefit in a coordinated manner.

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