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asked in the Dáil by Ciarán - Environment
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Dáil Questions
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25 October 2005
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Environment
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Poor Recycling Record
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Ciarán Cuffe
asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of Ireland’s poor recycling record, competition between packaging recycling scheme approved bodies will be
beneficial.
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Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local
Government:
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche): Ireland has a strong track record in meeting targets for the recovery of packaging waste. Under Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste, Ireland was required to achieve a 25% recovery rate of packaging waste by 1 July 2001, increasing to a 50% recovery rate by 31 December 2005, with a minimum of 25% to be achieved by recycling, including a minimum 15% recycling rate for each type of packaging material. The 2001 target was achieved and current indications are that the 2005 target will also be met.
Under current regulations, major producers of packaging waste, that is, manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers, representing all participants in the packaging chain, who place more than 25 tonnes of packaging on the market each year and who have an annual turnover exceeding €1 million excluding VAT, are required to take steps individually to recover their packaging waste — that is, self-compliance — or alternatively to contribute to and participate in compliance schemes set up to recover packaging waste.
Given that Ireland is achieving the required recovery and recycling targets for packaging waste and that major producers may avail of more than one option to comply with their obligations under the regulations, I am of the view that the existing regulatory arrangements make sufficient provision for competition in this area.
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CiaranCuffe.com