COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 26, 2016

QUESTION NO. 20

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive to update Members on his efforts to encourage recycling throughout the County and will he also confirm any plans for the further development of facilities in that regard.

REPLY:

Recycling is encouraged throughout the County on an ongoing basis through the Litter Management Plan, EMWR Waste Management Plan and the recycling strategy actions. All talks/workshops provided throughout the year that are regarding litter also cover the topics of prevention, reuse and recycling. SDCC engages with, supports and promotes Recycleit and Recreate, social enterprises in the County that respectively advocate the recycling and reuse of WEEE and the reuse of end of line/surplus stock from businesses. Seasonal campaigns include workshops where young people are shown how to reuse and recycle items for creative and practical purposes. Eco-Week hosts workshops/talks/seminars that address prevention, recycling and reuse.  While the emphasis in the EMWR Waste Management Plan 2015 to 2021 is on waste prevention, re-use and the circular economy the plan nevertheless includes an overarching objective of achieving a 50% recycling target for managed municipal waste within the EM region by 2020.  This objective is supported by the inclusion of many specific policies and detailed actions throughout the plan. 

The Council's civic amenity recycling centre at Ballymount Avenue is open to the public seven days per week and is operated for the Council by Panda Waste.  This is the largest recycling centre in the country and accepts approximately 15,000 tonnes of domestic waste materials per year much of which is recycled.  It should be noted that Oxigen Environmental also operate their own CA site which is also open to the public and is also situated in Ballymount.  The Council also operates a network of 70 recycling bring banks which accept glass, cans and textiles with approximately 5,500 tonnes of waste materials recycled through these facilities.  It is hoped to expand this network of sites from 70 at present to 120 over the 5 year life span of the current recycling strategy.    

The message of the continued recycling whilst promoting the importance of prevention and reuse will continue to be carried out as part of the above mentioned plans and strategy. For example October is national “Reuse Month”, SDCC has already been involved in the national launch and has begun promotion of “Reuse Month” through the upcycle challenge. During the month itself, a local launch with the Mayor will be carried out on 3rd October, Reuse workshops will be provided, the RecycleIT’s Vintage Display will be exhibited, and “ReUse Month” Pledge awareness days providing information on prevention, reuse and recycling will be carried out.