‘The only way to hurt them is in the pocket’

Movements on the Circular Economy Bill were welcomed by West Waterford councillors at this month’s meeting of the Dungarvan Lismore District.

The Circular Economy Bill which has been published by the government, will underpin Ireland’s shift from a ‘take-make-waste’ linear model to a more sustainable pattern of production and consumption that will instead minimise waste to help significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

HURT THEM ‘IN THE POCKET’

At the meeting on Monday, April 11, Tallow councillor James Tobin welcomed the introduction of a 20c levy on disposable coffee cups and a range of single-use items, referencing the impact that the plastic bag levy had when introduced in March of 2001.

“I think it worked on plastic bags. Before the charge was put on plastic bags, you’d see them hanging off of trees and hanging off of poles.

“I heard a figure that there is something like 22,000 coffee cups discarded every day. That’s an awful amount of litter. The only way to hurt them is in the pocket,” Cllr Tobin said.

Luke O’Brien of Waterford City and County Council’s Enviornment Department stated that the plastic bag levy saw a ‘significant change’ in public attitudes towards waste and illegal dumping and it is hoped that the new levy will see similar changes.

“We note that non-reusable coffee cups will be done away with for indoor cafes which are welcomed as well. We’re anticipating that that will have a big change,” Mr O’Brien said.

Mr O’Brien went on to note that the council are currently working with a number of groups that are on board with the concept and provide reusable cups to the public.

CCTV

West Waterford councillors Thomas Phelan and Conor D McGuinness also raised the matter of the Circular Economy Bill in relation to the use of CCTV with regards to littering and illegal dumping.

Responding to their queries, Mr O’Brien stated that Waterford City and County Council have seen the bill and said the bill may be subject to change before being adopted.

“We’re happy that the bill has been drafted. We were in limbo there for a while when the Data Protection Commissioner made his calling in relation to the use of CCTV in the prevention of littering and illegal dumping.

“Shortly, we will be able to use CCTV in the apprehension of people that are creating litter, waste and illegal dumping problems for us,” Mr O’Brien said.