Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the steps he plans to take to reduce dependency on plastic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25545/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 4 September this year I launched the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. This Plan contains ambitious measures for dealing with plastic packaging and single use plastic and details how the amount of single use plastic cups and food containers that are currently placed on the Irish market will be significantly reduced. By July 2021, I will ban a range of single use plastic products from being placed on the market, including straws, plates and cutlery and polystyrene food and beverage containers, in line with the requirements of the Single Use Plastics Directive. The Plan also sets out a clear roadmap for the introduction of a Deposit and Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans, following on from the commitment in the Programme for Government. The first step in this process will be a public consultation on the design options for such a system and this will be launched in the coming weeks.
The Waste Action Plan also commits to a range of measures to reduce packaging waste. These include steps to make all producers of packaging subject to an extended producer responsibility scheme and thus liable to 80% of the costs associated with the waste management of the packaging they place on the market. My overall ambition is to significantly reduce the amount of plastic packaging placed on the Irish market and to ensure that by 2030 all such packaging is 100% recyclable. .
