A draft Circular Economy Strategy, which outlines the need for targets to tackle food waste, has been submitted by deputy Richard Bruton to the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action.

A circular economy thinking should become a "central spine of our climate planning" according to the Fine Gael TD.

The strategy seeks to set the following targets for Ireland:

Deputy Bruton, who is the former Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, said: “Raising our ambitions to set higher climate action targets will require roadmaps in all sectors that rethink how we make and use products from raw materials to final product; from a product’s cradle to its grave.

“The urgency of the change needed is highlighted in stark facts. At 600kg per person, Ireland generates 22% more waste per head annually than the EU average.

"Recycling has also stagnated over the past decade, with only one third of plastics currently being put on the market recyclable.

“There is potential for big wins for Ireland in the food, building and retail sectors."

Circular economy thinking should become a central spine of our climate planning, according to the deputy.

"The new pathway will demand restructuring of the waste collection sector, as well as support for the emergence of new markets which improve the utilisation of assets or prolong the shelf-life of products and materials,” he added.

“The challenge is one that can unite all parts of our community in the effort, rather than pit one group against another,” deputy Bruton concluded.

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has a public consultation open on its draft Circular Economy Strategy.

The Programme for Government committed to a range of actions that support the transition to a circular economy.

In September 2020, the department published the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy.

One of the first actions to be taken is the development of a high-level, whole of government Circular Economy Strategy "to set a course for Ireland to transition across all sectors and at all levels of government toward circularity".

The closing date for submissions is June 11.