Irish Government to increase funding for recycling

 

We need to ensure that our very successful recycling rates in Ireland are not jeopardised by the ongoing global economic situation

 

And, it has persuaded the European Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the current situation with a view to establish whether there is any EU aid available to help the sector through the “difficult period”.

The revelations came in the first report produced by an action group tasked with responding to the decline in recovered material prices, which was set up by Irish environment minister John Gormley in November 2008.

Published just before Christmas, the study explains that an additional €2 million (£1.9 million) would be made available to fund new recycling infrastructure in Ireland in 2009 in a bid to maintain public confidence in recycling.

The increase of €2 million means that around €14 million (£13 million) will be made available to councils in 2009, with €24 million (£22.5 million) in funding released to local authorities for the development of recycling initiatives – focusing on capital grants and operational costs.

A €13 million (£12.2 million) plan to develop domestic markets for recycled material is also set to be fast-tracked and reviewed, in a bid to help safeguard the long-term future of the Irish recycling industry which currently exports 80% of its material for reprocessing.

The move comes in the wake of criticism leveled at the Irish Government over its dependence on export. A report published last month by consultancy firm Peter Bacon and Associates claimed that the lack of domestic capacity had been “severely exposed” when the market deteriorated (see letsrecycle.com story).

Mr Gormley said: “My work, and the work of the action group, has just begun. We need to ensure that our very successful recycling rates in Ireland are not jeopardised by the ongoing global economic situation.

“I also intend bringing forward proposals in the new year in relation to waste levies, including landfill charges. The aim of these proposals will be to increase the costs of alternatives to recycling,” he added.

Europe

In the action group report, Mr Gormley also reported that he had raised the issue of the recycling market at the Environment Council in Brussels on 4 December, at which 12 Member States offered their support.

He explained that the EU Commission had undertaken to carry out a review of the situation and to establish whether there was any “financial or other aid” available to help the sector through the period. The Commission also agreed to consider what steps could be taken at EU level in the area of sustainable production and consumption to reduce and minimise packaging and other waste, and improve the recyclability of such waste.

The incoming Czech Presidency is now set to have the issue as a “substantive item” at the next Council following completion of the Commission review.

Mr Gormley said: “This is an international problem that is now being experienced by many other countries. Earlier this month I raised the issue with my European colleagues and the European Commission in Brussels. They agreed to my proposals that the Commission would undertake a comprehensive review of the current situation.”