WASTE POLICY


Consultation opens on draft waste policy


Ambitious targets to reduce residual waste and additional levies for landfill and incineration in Ireland are proposed under new regulations


beyond in Ireland has been announced by John Gormley, Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government.


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The three key objectives of the pro- posed policy are: to ensure that the environment is protected and enhanced; to ensure the cost of waste services are driven down for consumers and busi- nesses while at the same time improv- ing the quality of those services; to pro- vide the policies and incentives and flexibilities that will enable waste firms to continue to invest and innovate in delivering new technologies and addi- tional jobs in the waste sector. Significant elements of the policy include targets to reduce residual waste levels available for landfill and incinera- tion, additional levies for landfill and incineration, and new standards for the types of services consumers should expect.


“The fundamental aim of the new draft policy is to protect the environ- ment, reduce costs for householders and


ublic consultation on a draft policy intended to map the future of waste management for the next decade and


businesses, while at the same time pro- moting job creation and innovation in the waste industry,” said Gormley. “Waste is not a problem that has to be buried or burned. Waste is a resource that can create jobs and improve com- petitiveness, and enhance prosperity.” He added: “This is the next step in developing a resource-based and sus- tainable waste policy for Ireland. By pro- viding for a strong competitive waste industry, I believe we will see delivery of a cost effective service and high lev- els of environmental performance.” However, Gormley conceded that the draft policy was “ambitious, and it will have consequences” for the size and location of residual waste infrastruc- ture. Draft regulations were also launched which would see a phased introduction of the provision of food waste collections for households. Under the regulations, it is proposed that all authorised waste collectors would have to provide such a collection service for the main cities by July of next year, with the service being rolled out to other urban areas by January 2012.


The draft policy follows on from a report launched by the Minister last


Further views sought


Minister John Gormley has reopened the consultation on an environmental report, prepared according to strategic envi- ronmental assessment requirements, to inform the policy- making process for waste management in respect of a pro- posed Section 60 policy direction on a proposed cap to incineration capacity as a proportion of municipal waste arisings.


Gormley explained that he was reopening the consultation to allow those who had made earlier submissions, and oth-


ers, to provide their views in light of the publication of both the report underpinning the international review of waste policy and of the publication of the draft statement of waste policy.


“I have always championed the role of public consultation in the policy-making process and this is why I am encouraging all sectors to participate in this important consultation,” he said. All three consultations will be open for receipt of sub- missions until 1 October 2010.


October 2010 Local Authority Waste & Recycling V


Encouraging all sectors to participate: John Gormley


November, which underpinned a major review of waste management policy. The report examined all aspects of waste management policy, from preven- tion and minimisation to the manage- ment of residual waste, and was com- piled by Eunomia Research & Consulting.


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