Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 May 2025
19. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans in place to tackle the huge amount of litter and environmental damage caused by the practice of tossing cigarette butts given that these account for 50% of visible litter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27789/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution lies with local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement, and clean-up actions in relation to litter taking account of local circumstances and priorities.
Since January 2023, all producers who place tobacco filter products containing plastic on the Irish market are required to be members of an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme. Tobacco Product Plastic Filter Group is the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for tobacco filters containing plastic in Ireland. Members of the EPR must contribute towards the cost of (i) cleaning up litter arising from their products and (ii) awareness-raising measures regarding the effects on the environment of their products.
