Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2022
154. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the financial supports that are in place for retailers to encourage the reuse of infrastructure on their premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31421/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a latté levy on single-use drinks and food containers will be introduced as part of the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022 with the aim of reducing litter and the waste of resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31413/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra157. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a requirement to commit 20% of a retailer’s floor space to reuse and refill options is being considered as part of the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31414/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a ban on plastic packaging on hardy fruit and vegetables is being considered as part of the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31415/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is considering a ban on single-use items such as wipes, free sample-size items and mono-dose sachets in conjunction with the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31416/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 156, 157, 158 and 159 together.
The Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022 (‘the Bill’) aims to support Ireland’s transition to a circular economy by providing the necessary legislative basis for several key measures including the Circular Economy Strategy, the Circular Economy Programme, the National Food Loss Prevention Roadmap and the Circular Economy Fund.
The Bill will also provide the power to introduce environmental levies on certain single-use disposable items, including single-use disposable cups, containers and packaging, and to prohibit their placing on the market where a suitable re-usable alternative is, or could be made, readily available. These levies will work in a similar way to the plastic bag levy, which has been so successful in tackling plastic bag litter. These new environmental levies will be introduced incrementally, with the initial focus on the introduction of levies on single-use disposable hot drinks cups later this year.
Amendments to the Bill at Committee Stage provide for the mandatory inclusion in the Circular Economy Strategy of sectoral targets in respect of, inter alia, the retail and packaging sectors. The targets to be set out in respect of a sector must include appropriate targets in respect of reductions in material resource consumption and the use of non-recyclable material; increases in the use of reusable products and materials; increased levels of repair and reuse; or improved maintenance and optimised use of goods, products and materials. The strategy must also set out the actions necessary to meet those targets. The Bill also provides that a report must be prepared by or on behalf of the Minister examining how single-use packaging used in the sale of fruit and vegetables can be reduced. The Bill does not contain provisions in relation to floor area use in retail outlets.
Through the Single Use Plastics Regulations 2021 some measures are already in place for certain single-use items and further measures will be introduced in the coming years which will significantly reduce the use of single-use plastic being placed on the market. Specifically in relation to wet wipes, compulsory marking requirements were introduced from 3 July 2021 and an extended producer responsibility scheme will be operational from 31 December 2024.
There are significant opportunities for the retail sector to play a leading role in the circular economy transition. The Retail Forum, which is chaired by the Minister of State for Employment, Business and Retail, provides a platform to allow key issues of relevance to the sector to be discussed with a view to identifying practical actions which can be taken by Government or by industry itself to support the sector. Under the sustainability theme, which is a key focus for the Retail Forum, a Retail Forum Working Group ‘Future of Retail – Green Transition Working Group’ has been established. The Retail Forum will work with relevant stakeholders, including my Department, to progress actions identified by the Working Group and drive forward relevant Government policies.
There are a number of supports available to encourage and assist businesses, including retailers, implement circular economy practices:
- The Circular Economy Innovation Grants Scheme, launched by my Department in 2021, is designed to help advance the circular economy amongst local communities, NGOs and small businesses, and raise awareness of the need to transition to sustainable patterns of production and consumption.
- The Climate Enterprise Action Fund, administered by Enterprise Ireland, provides Climate Action Vouchers to assist businesses in identifying operational opportunities in a range of areas including the circular economy.
- Local Enterprise Offices are assisting small businesses through the Green for Micro Programme, which provides training and advice on a range of subjects including circular economy principles and the transition to a circular business model.
