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Ireland’s Environment 2012
70
Conclusion and
Future Challenges
Waste management behaviours
have changed significantly in recent
years (Table 5.2), with the economic
downturn impacting significantly
on waste streams associated with
construction and consumption.
Ireland has performed well against
its EU Directive requirements
for different waste streams
(Table 5.3). Continued and
expanded use of levies and other
economic instruments must be
introduced so as to disincentivise
unsustainable products and poor
waste management practices, and
incentivise desirable behaviours in
relation to key waste streams (e.g.
battery recovery). The Producer
Responsibility Initiatives (PRIs)
currently operational in the State
have had mixed performance
success, with some not contributing
effectively to their intended purpose
(e.g. tyres and ELVs). The legislative
arrangements for poorly performing
PRIs would benefit from redesign.
Moreover, there are a number of
critical waste streams that should
be considered for inclusion in a
PRI-type scheme (e.g. paints,
medicines, newspaper).
Good waste prevention and
management practices must become
commonplace in the home, at
leisure or learning, in travel and the
workplace. Undesirable activities,
including fly-tipping, littering and
fireplace/backyard burning of
household waste, must remain
an enforcement priority so as to
ensure protection of health, the
environment, and the amenity of
the countryside. Such action also
protects our national ‘green’ image,
Table 5.2
Selected Waste Indicators (relative to most recent data – 2010) (Source: EPA)
Indicator
Current Position
Municipal Waste Managed
21% decrease since 2007
Household Waste Recovery
350% increase in recovery rate since 2002
Kerbside collection of household organic waste
218% increase since 2004
Municipal Waste per person
25% decrease since 2006
Commercial Waste Generated
26% decrease since 2007
Landfill Rate for Municipal Waste
33% decrease in disposal rate since 1995
Hazardous Waste (excl. soils)
5.5% decrease since 2007
Industrial Manufacturing Waste
1% decrease between 2006 and 2008
Construction & Demolition Waste Managed
81% decrease since 2007
Number of Municipal Landfills
65% decrease since 1998
Civic Amenity Sites
250% increase since 1998
Number of Bottle Banks
129% increase since 1998