Minister for the Environment John Gormley has today published a new draft waste management policy.
Mr Gormley said the aim of the policy is to protect the environment, reduce costs for householders and businesses and promote job creation in Ireland.
"Waste is not a problem that has to be buried or burned. Waste is a resource that can create jobs and improve competitiveness, and enhance prosperity," said Mr Gormley.
Key elements of the new policy include targets to reduce residual waste levels available for landfill and incineration, additional levies for landfill and incineration, and new standards for the types of services consumers should expect.
"This new draft waste policy is ambitious, and it will have consequences. It will create jobs and enhance environmental protection. But I have to be clear that it will inevitably have consequences for the size and location of residual waste infrastructure," Mr Gormley said.
The Minister also launched new draft regulations which will lead to a phased introduction of food waste collections for households. It is proposed that all authorised waste collectors would have to provide a collection service for the main cities by July of next year, with the service being rolled out to other urban areas by January 2012.
In addition, Mr Gormley today reopened the consultation on a report on the introduction of waste facility levies which are designed to penalise large incinerator projects. All three consultations will be open for submissions until October 1st.
