Ireland On Track to Hit Waste Reduction & Recycling Targets

Ireland is on track to meet all EU waste reduction targets, according to the latest figures published by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, the agency did caution that there remained risks around achievement of future targets such as 2015 End-of-Life-Vehicle recycling and recovery targets and 2016 targets for collection of portable batteries. The agency explained that the data provides valuable information on trends in waste generation and management and show the impact of an evolving waste policy landscape in Ireland, and changing household behaviours in relation to waste generation. According to the 2012 National Waste Report, 2012 was the first year that the percentage tonnage of municipal waste recovered (59%) exceeded the percentage tonnage disposed (41%). The report showed that municipal waste generated per capita has decreased by 24% over the period 2007 to 2012 from 0.78 tonnes of waste generated per person in 2007 to 0.59 tonnes in 2012. The EPA said that whilst the economic downturn undoubtedly had an impact on the levels of waste generated, this indicates a trend towards less waste generated and improved waste prevention in the country. “The data shows that Irish society is producing less waste per capita and is deriving more value from the waste it does generate through recycling and use as a fuel. Maximising the resource efficiency of all materials consumed is an essential aim of our transition to a sustainable economy,” commented Dr Jonathan Derham, EPA Programme Manager. According to Derham the improvement in the ratio of waste being recovered as opposed to disposed reflects a combination of measures including an increase in the use of municipal waste as a fuel, both in Ireland and abroad, as well as increases in the landfill levy for disposal of waste to landfill. “These estimates also show that 40% of municipal waste was recycled in Ireland in 2012 which is very close the EU28 average (42%),” he added. Landfill alternatives needed – quickly The report also found that there is approximately 17.3 million tonnes of remaining consented capacity for landfills and, of this, around 1.6 million tonnes is operational. This equates to approximately just two years landfill capacity. As such the EPA said that alternative treatment options must be developed as landfill capacity continues to decline. “There have been significant developments in waste management in recent years as evidenced through the landfill levy, producer responsibility initiatives, the National Waste Prevention Programme, and new waste collection obligations which have been very successful in addressing our historically poor record on waste management,” continued Derham. “Ireland is now one of the top EU performers in relation to waste generation per capita and in achievement of our EU waste management obligations,” he concluded. The agency added that Ireland also complied with the 2006 End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) recovery and recycling targets as required under the ELV Directive for the first time in 2012. Read More 5.6 MW Landfill Gas-to-Energy Plant Opened in Drehid A 5.6 MW landfill gas-to-energy facility has been officially opened at environmental services and waste management company, Bord na Móna’s landfill in Drehid, Ireland. Engineers Report - More Waste to Energy Capacity Needed A professional body for engineers in Ireland, Engineers Ireland, has conducted a report into the country’s infrastructure which concluded that too much waste is being exported to overseas waste to energy facilities due to a lack of domestic capacity. Waste to Energy and the Celtic Tiger While some high profile Irish waste projects have run into difficulties, others, such as Indaver's new 200,000 tpa waste to energy facility in Meath have reached fruition. As the country strives to meet EU landfill diversion targets, Ben Messenger investigates the potential role for waste to energy in Ireland, and looks at how the already over-subscribed Meath facility achieved its success.