Madam, - A report in your edition of September 2nd, "Taxes on 'common litter problems' likely", suggests that the Department of the Environment has "commissioned a study on the potential for taxes on common litter problems". This is not the case. The study commissioned by the Department concerns only chewing-gum, polystyrene fast- food wrapping, and ATM receipts.
The plastic bag levy was a signal success and has resulted in unprecedented positive media coverage, including interviews by our organisations for National Geographic News, BBC Overseas Radio, US Public Radio Broadcasting Networks, and cities as diverse as New York and Manchester. This levy has been a major boost in international perceptions of Ireland's environment.
It is all the more disappointing, therefore, that the Department has informed us that deposit and return schemes or levies on plastic bottles are "out of the picture" and that it has "no proposal" to consider these initiatives. Such schemes have succeeded elsewhere and, like the plastic bag levy, would have a major impact on our litter problem without significant increases in the cost of living.
It would be a shame if the good will - and good publicity - created by the plastic bag levy were to be frittered away. If the right conditions are met, environmental levies and their accompanying responsiveness-boosting measures will register with decision makers as meaningful strategic factors on a win-win basis.
We urge the Minister to use the current opportunity and extend his study to fully consider "the potential for taxes on common litter problems". - Yours, etc.,
TONY LOWES,
Friends of the
Irish Environment;
KARIN DUBSKY,
Coastwatch Europe;
JOHN BOWLER,
An Taisce;
PADDY MACKEY,
Voice;
CHRISTIAN VOLKMAN,
Earthwatch;
Allihies,
Co Cork.