COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 08, 2008

QUESTION NO. 5

QUESTION: Councillor C. Keane

To ask the Manager for a current report on all types of plastic recycling in the SDCC area?

REPLY:

In addition to the acceptance of plastic bottles in the fortnightly green bin collection provided to households in the County, there a receptacles for plastic at Ballymount Civic Amenity.  These are segregated into "plastic bottles only" and "soft plastics" which are sent to a private contractor for recycling.   Soft plastics covers all non-food contaminated plastics and containers. There have been difficulties encountered in sourcing end recyclers for food contaminated plastics and, while patrons are encouraged and are receptive to pre-washing any plastics that may have come into contact with food, consequently some plastics may end up having to go to landfill.  A pilot initiative to accept "hard plastics" such as garden furniture, children's toys etc. at Ballymount Civic Amenity is being planned subject to the sourcing of an end recycler for this stream of plastics.

While the Council's endeavours to provide the highest standard of recycling facilities at Ballymount Civic Amenity it must be noted that the provision of recycling facilities for plastics is contingent on the availability of an end-recycler.

Figures for this year up to July show that 15.64 tonnes of plastic have been received at Ballymount Civic Amenity.