Gormley Publishes Report on Recycling Market

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley T.D. has published the First Report of the Action Group on the recycling market.

The Group was established last month by the Minister following a dramatic fall in the international price for 'recyclates' or materials collected for recycling.

The drop in demand was very rapid and was caused by the current international economic situation, combined with the very large fall in oil prices.

Ireland exports 85 per cent of its recycling material, and the price fall has led to serious difficulties within the recycling industry in Ireland.

The Minister has already initiated a series of measures arising out of the issues already identified by the group.

"My main priority is to ensure that consumer access recycling services and recycling centres do not suffer because of the international waste markets issue," he 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 proposal that the Commission would undertake a comprehensive review of the current situation."

The Commission has also agreed to establish whether there is any EU financial or other aid available to help the sector continue to trade through this difficult period.

In addition they will consider what steps can be taken at EU level in the area of sustainable production and consumption to reduce and minimise packaging and other waste, and to improve the recyclability of such waste.

The Minister has also initiated a series of measures domestically which are aimed at relieving some of the problems being experienced in the recycling sector.

These include the fast-tracking and review of a €13 million programme to develop markets domestically for recycled material.

An additional €2 million will be provided to local authorities next year to help finance recycling facilities around the country, bringing the total funding next year to in the region of €14 million.

The Minister added: "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."

"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."