Ireland must play our part in the reduction of plastic waste and promotion of a circular economy
The Green Party today welcomed the publication of the European Union’s first strategy to tackle plastic waste, but warned that Ireland must take decisive action at national level in addition to the measures proposed.
Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan TD, commenting on the strategy, said: “We welcome the publication of this strategy which calls for all plastic packaging in the EU to be recyclable by 2030, encourages the refilling of water bottles through the promotion of public drinking fountains and proposes a ban on products containing micro-beads and micro-plastics.
“The Irish Government now needs to take strong action on a national level to tackle plastic waste. Switching from a throw-away plastic culture will allow us switch to a new circular economy which delivers new jobs as well as cutting pollution.
“The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and the Environment will meet tomorrow to review the Green Party’s Waste Reduction Bill. The timing of the report could not be better as we seek to end the use of plastic disposable cups, single use plastics, and introduce a refund scheme for plastic bottles and other containers. The Government now needs to change tack and support our bill which is in tune with European policy.”
Senator Grace O’Sullivan, Green Party Spokesperson on Marine Protection, said: “According to the figures cited by the Commission today, European citizens generate 25 million tons of plastic waste a year, but less than 30% is collected for recycling. It also says that across the world, plastics make up 85% of beach litter.
“Plastic waste needs to be tackled urgently, for health, for environmental, and economic reasons.”
