Environment Minister Launches Waste Action Plan

A deposit and return scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans is to be introduced in 2022.

It's among the measures included in the government's Waste Action Plan which has been launched today.

The Waste Action Plan has set out a five year roadmap to cut down on waste.

It includes a deposit and return scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans that should be in place by late 2022.

A public consultation on this will launched over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, from next July single use plastic products like cotton bud sticks, stirrers and straws will be banned

The government says it will work towards an eventual full ban on disposable cups as part of the plan.

Meanwhile, in a bid to halve food waste by 2030, penalties will be brought in for people who fail to segregate their waste in their bins.