merrion street

The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment Richard Bruton, welcomed the progress made by the European Council on introducing tough restrictions on single-use plastic products.

The Representatives of Member States met today (31ST of October 2018) and unanimously agreed on a proposal, which will now be brought forward for negotiation with the European Parliament and EU Commission. The Minister is urging all parties to these negotiations to reach agreement as soon as possible in order to give Member States the ability to introduce this important legislation.

Key measures include:

• A ban on certain plastic products
• Targets for reducing the use of certain plastics and
• Obligations for producers to cover the costs of waste management and clean up.
• Obligations on MS to collect 90% of plastic bottles placed on the market.

Minister Bruton said,

Tackling plastic waste and increasing the level of plastic recycling is crucial. Plastic waste is causing serious issues, it is polluting our oceans, cities and countryside. Our mission is to make Ireland a leader in the transformation that is needed, not a follower. I welcome today’s progress, as a significant step forward in making a very substantial difference to how we manage plastic waste. I will now ask my officials to start work on the measures, legal and otherwise, needed to act on the implementation of the changes to be enacted.