Skip to main content

Gormley Publishes International Review of Waste Management Policy

19/11/09


Mr John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today (19 Novemeber 09) launched the report underpinning a major review of waste management policy.  The report commissioned by the Minister on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, examines all aspects of waste management policy, from prevention and minimisation to the management of residual waste.

The report was compiled by a group of Irish and international consultants led by Dr. Dominic Hogg of Eunomia Research and Consulting. The Minister paid tribute to the work done in compiling such a comprehensive study by Dr. Hogg and his Irish and international associates. 


Speaking at the launch, the Minister said: “I was determined that our review of waste management should be a root and branch one, and it is. The Eunomia report provides a blueprint for change.  Changing the way we collect and treat our waste will benefit not just our environment, but also our economy. It will create jobs in new waste industries. It will enhance competitiveness of the wider economy as a whole. It will drive innovation which in turn will drive job creation.”


The Minister also announced increases to the landfill levy to drive waste from landfill in order to meet challenging EU targets, the first of which occurs in 2010.  The levy will increase to €30 per tonne by 2010, to €50 in 2011 and to €75 in 2012.  “Earlier this year the Government also decided to introduce an incineration levy. While the actual rate of the levy will need to relate to the rates of landfill levy which I have just announced I do envisage that the incineration levy will be in the range of €20 to €38 per tonne” said the Minister.

Minister Gormley stated that he would shortly be bringing a new policy statement to Government with a view to its publication in the New Year. The Minister concluded: “The Eunomia report  represents a launch pad for transforming how we deal with waste in Ireland. We now have the considered research which is the essential foundation for good and robust policy.  We have the blueprint for legislative, institutional, regulatory and organisational change to achieve a wholly sustainable approach to waste management.”

Notes for Editors

The Programme for Government agreed in 2007 included a number of objectives relating to waste management among them a commitment to carry out an international review of waste management plans, practices and procedures and to act on the conclusions of such a review. 

In February 2008, a procurement process was initiated to appoint consultants to undertake a comprehensive study on the waste sector, to underpin the overall review, and to cover a wide range of issues to help identify how best to proceed with further efforts to reduce waste levels, improve recycling rates and deliver equitable and cost-effective waste management solutions. Eunomia Research and Consulting Ltd. (and partners) were selected to undertake the study.

The scope of the study included:

• identifying possible changes to policy at national level in order to assist Ireland to move towards a sustainable resource and waste policy including minimising the creation of waste and self-sufficiency in the reuse and recycling of materials, and

• examining the legal, institutional, and organisational arrangements currently in place and analysing potential changes which could assist in achieving Ireland’s policy goals, and meeting national and international obligations.

The study also sought to address how better to implement waste prevention and minimisation in the particular context of the emergence of new technologies for waste management, particularly those for the mechanical and biological treatment of waste which can reduce the need for both incineration and landfill.

The report by Eunomia Consulting Ltd (and Partners) addresses the key issues confronting the Irish waste management sector today and sets out a number of detailed recommendations in relation to same including recommendations in respect of sequencing and timing for implementation.

The key issues/recommendations surrounding the Irish waste management sector, listed below, will be instrumental in the Minister’s and Government’s consideration of the policy and legislative measures necessary to ensure that the legal, institutional, regulatory and organisational changes necessary are rolled out to reach the goal of a wholly sustainable approach to waste management:

• The EU Landfill Directive
• Waste Management Planning
• Regulation of the Waste Management Sector
• The Market for Collection
• Direction of Waste
• Producer Responsibility
• Financing
• Levies
• Planning for Strategic Facilities
• Green Procurement
• Markets for Recyclables
• Hazardous Residues.

As a next step in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government’s approach to modernising and reorientation of the waste management sector the recommendations will form a key element of a new policy statement on waste currently being developed with a view to its publication early in the New Year. This policy statement will provide certainty for those in the waste management sector and a framework within which the necessary legislative changes can be brought forward.

A video of Minister Gormley speaking at the policy launch is available at the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQL00_DGTgQ

Media queries:
Press and Information Office
Tel: (01) 888 2638  (direct)
(01) 888 2000
E-Mail: press-office@environ.ie
Web site: www.environ.ie

Back