Sir, - With the stroke of a pen the new Government can solve the problems of IGB and improve the litter situation.
All they have to do is ban all non-returnable (throwaway) bottles, cans and cartons, made of plastic, aluminium and board and we go back to the days of returnable glass bottles which are reusable (average life 20 cycles) and fully recyclable at the end of their useful lives.
The introduction of a €0.50 deposit on all bottles will encourage their return to the point of purchase.
Having converted to taking our own bags with us when we go shopping, and having converted to euro from pounds with no difficulty whatsoever, there is no reason to think this proposal cannot be implemented.
They did it in Denmark 20 years ago and it works. Denmark still exports its beers in non-returnable bottles and cans, and we can do the same for our whiskies and Irish creams.
Who will hate the change? The plastics manufacturers, the can suppliers, the Tetrapak people and, above all, the marketeers.
Of course, a bottle being used for the 20th time will not be as lovely and shiny as a new bottle, but it will be the same for everybody.
Who will love it? IGB will have enough business to keep it going and it preserves our glass recycling facility. Those who care for the environment will love it too.
Having personally bottled some of the top brands in the country for 25 years and having had close contacts with Denmark for 40 years, I have seen both sides of the argument. I am convinced it will work here. - Yours, etc.,
A.P.HEALY, Newcastle, Co Tipperary.