17th February 2005

Social & Family Affairs 

Waste Disposed Of In The Department

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the total weight of waste that his Department produces within its own offices in the last year for which figures are available; the breakdown of the weight produced by paper, glass, aluminium and
steel cans, textiles, plastics, organic waste, electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, hazardous waste and mixed waste respectively; the percentage of weight in each category which is recycled; and the details of any contracts his
Department has for this disposal, reduction or re-use of waste

Minister For Social & Family Affairs:

In 2004, my Department sent 140 tons of paper and 5.5 tons (approx.) of electrical equipment for recycling. Information in relation to other categories requested by the Deputy is not available as such waste is not separated and weighed at present.

Arrangements are being made for the introduction of a comprehensive waste management system that will result in the recycling of waste produced, to the maximum extent possible, in each of the relevant categories to which the Deputy refers. In July 2004 a 12 month pilot waste management project was initiated in the Department's six city-centre Dublin headquarter buildings, where 1300 people are employed.

A waste contractor has been employed to collect all waste streams from these offices, including general/wet waste as well as electronic and hazardous waste, on request. This new arrangement is expected to significantly increase the volume and type of waste that will be recycled. Establishing details in this regard will form part of a comprehensive review of the pilot project, which will get underway shortly. Following the review it is the intention to extend the arrangements to other Departmental offices around the country.

ENDS