A new €27 million fund to boost the circular economy will help tackle illegal dumping, Minister Alan Dillon has promised.
A ‘circular economy’ is when items used by people are recycled and reused over and over again, reducing humanity’s reliance on scarce resources and cutting carbon emissions.
Last year, Ireland’s municipal recycling target was 41%, which the Environmental Protection Agency declared meant there had been “no significant change in 10 years.”
It added that this means the State is “now almost certain to miss EU municipal and packaging recycling targets” this year.
On The Pat Kenny Show, Minister for the Circular Economy Alan Dillon said the fund would be spent on a “wide range” of initiatives, including further anti-dumping initiatives.
“Take the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme,” he said.
“That supports the growth of the circular economy through pilot projects in areas like plastics, construction, waste, food waste, prevention, the re-use of electrical goods and textiles.
“We’ve supported 36 projects already; the two 2025 rounds for this scheme will provide over 250,000.
“We’ve also other initiatives around anti-dumping, around food circle projects.”
A tractor carrying waste. Picture by: Alamy.com.Illegal dumping
Ireland is committed to recycling 55% of municipal waste this year, 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035.
The Mayo TD conceded that waste collection in Ireland has “challenges” and said he hoped that the fund would “accelerate” the transition to higher recycling rates.
He continued that textile recycling is of particular concern.
“Right now, the fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters globally,” he said.
“It’s the fourth highest impact on the environment after food, housing and transport.
“So, it’s a priority area of action for Ireland’s circular economy ambitions.
“We do plan to create an extended producer responsibility scheme for textiles, which will support an effective textile selection.”
Earlier this year, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council urged the Government to spend more on green projects to reduce the risk of EU fines for failing to meet environmental targets.
Main image: Waste in Galway. Picture by: Alamy.com.
