Gormley Sets Out Roadmap For New Waste Policy In Ireland

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley, T.D., set out his plans for the delivery of a new waste management policy for Ireland last week. 

The process will involve significant consultation with key stakeholders and the general public over the coming weeks. 

"I want to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to contribute to the development of the Government's waste management policy," he said. "The policy will focus on moving Ireland away from an overemphasis on residual waste management and to a focus on prevention, minimisation and recycling."

As a first step in the process, the Minister launched a consultation on a draft Bill which has been approved by Government for the application of levies to landfills and incinerators. 

The levies will be designed to ensure material which can be recycled and add value is not drawn to large scale residual waste treatment facilities. 

It is envisaged that a banded series of levies will be applied to facilities based on capacity: "In order to have the dissuasive effect required, those who process more, will pay more," he continued.

The levies are also seen as a means of driving material away from landfill, in order to meet challenging European Union targets.

"Levies are just part of a range of measures which will contribute to the development of a sustainable, resource-based waste management policy," commented the Minister.

In the coming weeks he will be launching a consultation document which will set out the various elements being considered as part of the development of a new waste management policy for the country. 

As part of this process, he will prioritise engagement with the public on specific issues in the document including the management of biodegradable waste through the rollout of brown bins and home composting, and the capping of the volume of material permitted to be sent for incineration.

"Waste, when viewed as a resource, has the potential to make a significant contribution to economic recovery through the development of a vibrant recycling sector using the most advanced technologies," he concluded.