Eamon Ryan must immediately ban practice of corporations dumping unused goods, says Kildare TD

Eamon Ryan must immediately ban practice of corporations dumping unused goods — that's according to one Sinn Féin TD.

Patricia Ryan TD, who is based in Kildare-South, has said the government 'must intervene now to end waste by corporations.'

She was speaking ahead of a Sinn Féin bill on the issue, which will be debated in the Seanad on Wednesday, where her party has called on the government to ban the practice of dumping unused goods by corporations.

Her party colleague, Senator Lynn Boylan, made a similar call to action back in October, when she said that she planned to present the legislation before the government at a later date.

Commenting on the matter today, Ms Ryan said: "We are calling for an immediate ban on the dumping of new goods by corporations.

"This practice perpetuates waste, exacerbates environmental degradation, and deepens social inequalities."

Patricia Ryan TD. File Pic.

She continued: "In the fashion and electronics industries especially, we witness countless perfectly usable products being needlessly destroyed maximise profit.

"With the proliferation of online shopping, this problem has reached alarming levels... Returned items, often in pristine condition, are recklessly discarded instead of being resold.

"Some luxury brands have been documented destroying goods to maintain exclusivity rather than see them be resold in charity shops."

Ms Ryan added that this legislation would ban the practice of dumping unused goods, and would force companies to redistribute excess stock 'to charities and people who need them.'

She elaborated: "In a cost-of-living crisis, when people are going without necessities, dumping electronics, hygiene products and household items instead of giving them to people who need them, it is morally bankrupt.

"For too long, the government and corporations have tried to put the blame for our environmental catastrophe squarely on the shoulders of individuals as consumers.

"In contrast, this bill highlights Sinn Féin’s commitment to a different approach that puts blame where it lies; on corporations who put profit over planet.

"This bill addresses the root causes of waste, which is overproduction, and challenges the prevailing notion of limitless growth at the expense of our environment.”

"It requires strong government leadership to stand up to corporate interests who benefit from the status quo," Ms Ryan concluded.