EPA publish annual waste report
The Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their latest annual waste report, with some mixed results.
While household, commercial and construction waste have all seen a reduction, this is the result of the economic downturn rather than an improvement in waste management.
The National Waste Report 2009 covers performance in waste generation and management and progress towards meeting EU recovery, recycling and diversion from landfill targets.
The main cause for concern is Ireland’s ability to divert waste from landfill and its waste infrastructure. Of the country’s 29 landfill sites, 16 will be full within three years.
Carbery Plastics Marketing Manager, Gearóid Buckley commented: “These results do appear to be skewed by the current economic climate. The current recession is having a marked effect on waste generation, particularly in the commercial waste and construction and demolition waste streams.”
“While the reductions in waste generation and the improvements in recovery seen in 2009 are welcome, we must continue to focus on resource efficiency to ensure that when economic growth does return, it is not accompanied by a surge in waste generation.”
“The report also highlights the need for more bring banks and civic amenity sites. Nationally there are 1962 bring sites and 107 civic amenity sites. Figures show that the increase in these recycling facilities from 2005 has contributed to an increase of 6910 tones of waste being recycled.”
On a more positive note the Carbery Plastics Representative said “Ireland is currently on track to meet its EU Landfill Directive diversion target for biodegradable municipal waste for 2010.”
“Municipal waste recycling achieved a rate of 35%, close to the EU27 norm of 40%. However the report goes on to say that the targets for 2013 and 2016 will be more difficult to achieve. It says ‘urgent and sustained’ actions are required if those targets are to be met.”
On Friday (11th February) Carbery Plastics will launch their new Recycle Bank at the AMAI (Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland) Conference, Westlodge Hotel, Bantry at 5pm. This new recycle bank will revolutionise how Bring Sites operate right around the country.
