Donal Buckley, Head of Environment Unit IBEC

1
Is Recycling The Answer to Irelands Waste
Problems ?
Donal Buckley, Head of Environment Unit IBEC
2
Recycling in Context

• Waste is a major problem
• Recycling is only one solution
• An integrated approach is needed
• Focus on prevention and minimisation
• Cleaner production and products

3
What is Recycling?

• Recycling beneficially uses waste material
  without directly reducing waste production
• Often requires additional processing, or, as a
  minimum, the collection of the waste
• Recycling is therefore not environmentally or
  economically free

4
Recycling Hierarchy

• Process integrated
• Internal
• External
• Downcycling
• Valorisation
• Useful Web-sites
• www.forbairt.ie
  /environment/waste
• www.wastechange.com
• www.lifetowaste.com

5
The Barriers To Recycling

• Lack of infrastructure
• High costs including transport
• Size of Irish market
• Legislation
• Lack of end markets
• Geographical disadvantage
• Culture
• Awareness
• High Targets

6
EU Policy

• Based on
• polluter pays principal
• proximity principal
• precautionary principal
• waste management hierarchy
• best available technology

7
National Policy

• Changing our Ways - 1998
• Diversion of 50 of household waste from
  landfill
• 65 reduction in biodegradable waste going to
  landfill
• Recycling 35 of municipal waste
• Recycling at least 50 of CD waste within 5
  years rising to 85 in 15 years
• Reduction in landfill numbers

8
National Policy

• Delivering Change
• National Waste Prevention Programme
• Establishment of NWMB
• Recycling forum
• market development group
• Delivery of infrastructure

9
Targets in Waste Plans
10
EU Municipal Waste Management
11
Current Position (1998) National Targets
12
The Change Required
13
Connaught Planned Infrastructure
14
Electronic End-of Life Equipment

• Proposed EU Directive
• Recycling targets
• Producer responsibility
• Implications for manufacturers
• Early stage

15
Packaging

• 200,00 tonnes recycled in 2001, targets met.
• Directive being reviewed, new targets of 50,
  with material specific targets
• Legislation being reviewed
• Major challenge ahead

16
2001 Tonnages
17
2005 Tonnage Forecast
18

Irish Waste Legislation
19
Waste Management Act

• Framework Legislation - give effect to 16 EU
  Directives from 1975 through 1994
• 19 subsequent (S.I.s)
• Two broad functions strategic planning of waste
  management licensing/control of activities
• Net effect - waste management is more expensive

20
Education Awareness

• Information deficit, needs to be addressed
  urgently
• Business local communities have common
  objective
• Provision of cost effective and environmentally
  efficient waste management services
• Choices need to be debated
• Info on merits demerits of different
  technologies

21
What Are The Solutions?

• Recognition of industrial needs
• Deliver on infrastructure
• Better awareness and training
• More access to the private sector
• Emphasis on prevention and minimisation
• An integrated approach