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IBAL Survey demonstrates litter problems

IBAL Survey demonstrates litter problems

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08/09/2003

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

"IBAL Survey demonstrates litter problems posed by chewing gum"

"Chewing gum, ATM receipts and fast food packaging the targets"

- Minister Cullen

"Today's Irish Business Against Litter Survey demonstrates that bold steps are required if we are to tackle litter", Minister Martin Cullen said today (September 1st).

Welcoming the IBAL Survey, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government said a twin track of "aggressive targeting of root causes of litter and people taking responsibility for their communities are the answer to eradicating litter".

Minister Cullen's plan to tackle the root causes of litter centre on chewing gum, polystyrene fast food packaging and ATM bank receipts. An estimated 80 million packs of chewing gum are sold annually in Ireland.

Minister Cullen said: "If we are serious about tackling litter we have got to take bold steps. It is a patriotic duty not to litter, yet it is a reality. We have got to change our ways. The polluter must pay and the carrot and stick approach will apply."

On chewing gum, Minister Cullen said: "The problem of chewing gum on our streets and footpaths is well known. It is unsightly and unacceptable. As much as 500 tons of chewing gum is being disposed on our streets every year. Vast amounts of taxpayers money every year pays for the clean up of chewing gum, money we could be using elsewhere.

"We have seen the success of the plastic bag levy. It is time to build on its success. We have got to change our ways," he concluded.

Minister Cullen will continue to engage with colleagues in Government with a view to bringing his anti-litter proposals to Cabinet in the Autumn.

The €55million Environment Fund for 2003 was established with the revenues obtained from the Plastic Bag Levy introduced in March 2002 and the Landfill Levy introduced in July 2002. The Plastic Bag levy has raised €13.5million to date with the landfill levy raising €30million. €35 million from the fund will be invested in recycling infrastructure this year.