FG promises ‘zero waste’ litter policy

Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan today promised that his party would pursue a "zero waste" policy on litter if returned to Government.

Speaking in Cork city at the launch of Fine Gael’s policy position on the environment, Mr Noonan said there has been growing public concern about the possible health implications of the current Government’s incineration policy.

"Fine Gael believes that incineration is undesirable and would be likely to undermine our ‘zero waste’ policy approach.

"While we accept that our proposals for waste minimisation, refuse and recycling will not eliminate all residual waste, we do not believe that incineration will be necessary if our strategy is implemented" he said.

Mr Noonan said that Fine Gael, on entering Government, would appoint a Waste Commissioner to report on alternative disposal methods for residual waste and that they would encourage business to redesign their products, processes and packaging around the concept of "zero waste".

"We will establish firmly the producer’s full responsibility for the waste consequences they produce, right through the chain of use," he said.