€13.5m plastic bag levy cash to boost council coffers

PART of the €13.5m raised from the plastic bag levy will be given as a reward to local authorities who provide recycling services.

Environment Minister Martin Cullen yesterday approved a total of €2.5m for proposed new environmental projects for councils.

He also promised to boost the coffers of councils adopting a proactive approach to recycling with a further €2.5m by the year end.

Minister Cullen revealed the 15 cent plastic bag levy introduced in March 2002 had, so far, raised a total of €13.5m. New charges imposed for the use of landfill sites had provided a further €30m. However, the planned €5m allocations to councils from the Environment Fund are dependant on the performance of authorities in providing local recycling banks.

Minister Cullen conceded: “An unprecedented level of funding is now available for environmental protection and improvement.”

The minister said the provision of better waste management services and infrastructure was his top environmental priority.

The funding primarily will assist city and county councils to offset the rising operational costs of providing recycling banks and civic amenity sites.