Innovation and Research, Creativity and Enthusiasm have to be the basis on which our economy recovers. I am delighted to see these positive traits in abundance amongst our graduate entrants for the Trash to cash competition.
Innovation drives productivity and will be a key component of our efforts now, in the months and years ahead as we reposition Ireland to compete and prosper in what is going to be a fiercely competitive global market place.
Our future economic success will depend on increasing levels of innovation across all sectors, including Small and Medium Enterprises for which rx3 - the Market Development initiative - is primarily aimed at supporting.
In Ireland as across the whole of the European Union, the way we deal with waste is changing. This change is driven by environmental concerns, but also concerns about security of supply of raw materials and the need to make the economy more resilient to future increases in global energy and commodity demands and prices.
This is illustrated by the current European resource-efficiency flagship initiative under the Europe 2020 Strategy, which supports the shift towards a low-carbon economy that makes the best possible use of all resources. It is about delivering smart, sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Identifying ways to utilise more recycled materials in products and processes closer to home in Ireland and Europe is a key ingredient in this approach. It is a challenge but also an opportunity – an opportunity to secure jobs and economic growth for Ireland. A way forward that will improve productivity, drive down costs and boost competitiveness. It is part of what is often described as a cradle to cradle approach where resource efficiency principles are applied throughout the entire life-cycle of products from the extraction and use of raw materials, the production process itself and the recovery and reuse of materials at end-of-life.
rx3 was set up to stimulate the creation of markets for recycled materials. Because even with improved recycling rates there is still a lack of outlets for recyclables, which inhibits Irelands overall recycling performance.
My Department supports rx3 to implement this strategy by encouraging the: finding of new ways to reduce raw materials inputs; minimising of waste sent to landfill through a range of initiatives including this Trash to Cash Competition; changing consumption patterns by promoting and developing tools for green procurement; and optimising of production processes, management and business methods through the development of best practices and case studies.
To this end a grant fund of €250,000 has also been made available under the Programme to attract good quality feasibility studies researching a broad range of commercial and technological waste issues.
This technological innovation and new skills will be required to fill the needs of the fast developing 'green technology' sector to open up new export markets and benefit consumers through more sustainable products. This approach is central to the national effort in developing a smart economy whereby greenhouse gas emissions are reduced and climate change is being addressed. To put it simply - meeting the challenges of the economy and the environment are not mutually exclusive tasks. And there are encouraging trends and positives to build on as we go forward. According to the EPA National Waste Reports the overall national recovery rate stands at just under 40% which is the norm for the EU 27.
The active support of all stakeholders in the waste and resources sector and across wider industry is necessary if we are to create sustainable markets for recycled materials.
I believe that the State’s own presence in the marketplace offers further huge opportunities in this area. The annual public procurement spend is of the order of €15 billion. By increasingly opting for more resource-efficient goods, services and works, Government can greatly assist in the transformation of waste streams into waste resources. This is another example of how investing in the well-being of our environment saves money and creates jobs. I intend to prioritise the development of the first National Action Plan on Green Public Procurement.
To conclude, I am confident that if we all work together, with a common aim and recognise the mutual benefits of the green economy Ireland can meet the challenges it faces economically, environmentally and socially.