Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Recycling Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

Ceisteanna (169, 170)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

169. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the expected circular life expectancy of plastics has been explored in the context of a deposit and return scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28083/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

170. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if a cost comparison has been carried out to establish whether the set-up and maintenance costs of a deposit and return scheme that includes plastics would provide better value than other forms of intervention aimed at reducing the use of plastics by manufacturers and retailers in the first instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28084/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.  

Under the Single Use Plastics Directive, Ireland must achieve a collection target of 90% recycling for plastic bottles by 2029 with an interim target of 77% by 2025. A report prepared for my Department by Eunomia concluded that a deposit and return scheme (DRS) is considered to be the only feasible way to achieve the required levels of performance under the SUP Directive. The report also estimates that a DRS could reduce the cost of litter disamenity to communities by €95m, reduce littering by 85% and cut the tonnage of deposit-bearing containers that are landfilled or incinerated by 88%. The consequent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in a year is valued at €1.83 million, with the annual reduction in other air pollutants valued at €550,000.

In line with a commitment contained in Ireland’s new waste policy – A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy - I published the Eunomia report on 2 October alongside a consultation document setting out possible design options for how a producer-funded DRS would work in Ireland.

Barr
Roinn