Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
182. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he agrees that most people in rural areas recycle their garden waste on-site and use compost as a fertiliser, and with this in mind, if it is necessary to have extra vehicular presence on rural country roads, adding to the carbon footprint, and adding unnecessary additional costs to the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27274/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently drafting legislation which will require every household in the State on a waste collection service to be provided with a separate organic waste collection service. This is in line with commitments given in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy and will also satisfy the requirements of the Waste Framework Directive for Member States to ensure that, by 31 December 2023, bio-waste (organic waste) is either separated and recycled at source, or is collected separately and is not mixed with other types of waste.
Individuals can and should continue to compost and recycle their garden waste on-site where possible; however, it should be noted that many home composting systems are not suitable for managing meat or dairy products, please see StopFoodWaste.ie for further information. The provision of a separate bio-waste collection service is therefore required to ensure that such material can be kept out of the residual waste bin and put to beneficial reuse through methods such as industrial composting or anaerobic digestion.
