10th October 2004

PRESS RELEASE

Green call for more Government support for recycling as waste heads to China

The Green Party has called for more Government support for recycling as recent reports suggest that much of Ireland’s recycled material ends up in China.

Green Party Environment Spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD stated today; “We would like to see the Government getting more involved with recycling. That means setting up a new State Agency that would research, promote and initiate recycling here in Ireland. It is worrying that much of what Irish people put into their recycling bins can end up hundreds if not thousands of miles away.

“There are real concerns about the environmental and labour conditions that workers are exposed to in countries such as China.”

“The closure of the Irish Glass Bottle Company in Ringsend in Dublin two years ago shows the scant regard that the Government has for recycling. If the Green Party were in Government it would have pulled out all the stops to ensure that companies that support recycling in Ireland are promoted and protected.

“Greater support for recycling in Ireland would also help ensure that less waste is illegally dumped."