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[Press Release: October 3rd, 2005] Stop exporting Ireland’s waste say Greens - at start of National Recycling WeekCreate recycling facilities and jobs in IrelandAt the start of National Recycling Week the Green Party today called for proper recycling facilities to be established as quickly as possible in Ireland and for higher recycling targets to be met.Green Party councillor, Deirdre de Burca said that, "Our waste recycling figures are improving but we are still far from reaching the European recycling targets set for Ireland. Recently yet another European report put Ireland close to the bottom of the league for recycling. Ireland came second last in overall recycling with a figure of 35% while Germany managed to recycle an impressive 74% of its waste." "While Ireland has achieved the 2005 target of 25%, our recycling rates compare poorly in all categories to other EU member states. Ireland was ranked last on recycling paper, second last on recycling metals, eleventh out of fifteen for glass recycling and ninth out of fifteen for recycling plastics." "Creating a proper recycling industry capable of handling Ireland’s recycling needs will provide employment. Yet this FF-PD coalition Government continues to push incineration in a cavalier fashion as the solution to waste disposal but meanwhile still hasn’t established sufficient recycling facilities and markets to meet Ireland’s growing recycling demands. It is ridiculous that almost three-quarters of Irish material for recycling is sent abroad - much of it to China. Transportation of material for recycling in the Far East cannot be passed off as evidence of progress in Ireland." "The Green Party in Government will pull out all the stops to ensure that companies that support recycling in Ireland are promoted and protected," concluded Cllr de Burca.
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