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Public Consultations

Green Paper on European Strategy on Plastic Waste
Amendment to Waste Permit Facility Regulations
Review Of The Producer Responsibilty Initiative Model In Ireland

Development of End Of Waste Criteria for Waste Plastic for Conversion
Development of End of Waste Criteria for Biodegradable Waste subject to Biological Treatment
A New National Waste Policy
Reorganising Household Waste Collection
Possible Packaging Levy
Draft Statement of Waste Policy
Draft Regulations Requiring the Provision of Food Waste Collections
Re-Opening of  Consultation on Proposed Section 60 Policy Direction
Invitation for Submissions 

Submission received 2012
Submissions Received 2011
More Submissions Received 2011
Submissions Received 2010

 

European Commission Green Paper on a European Strategy on Plastic Waste in the Environment


The Commission has circulated a Green Paper to launch a broad reflection on possible responses to the public policy challenges posed by plastic waste which are at present not specifically addressed in EU waste legislation. The follow-up to the Green Paper will be an integral part of the wider review of the waste legislation that will be completed in 2014. This review will look at the existing targets for waste recovery and landfill as well as an ex-post evaluation of five directives covering various waste streams.

Green Paper on a European Strategy on Plastic Waste in the Environment (external link)


Member States, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and all other interested parties are invited to submit their views on the suggestions set out in this Green Paper. Contributions should be sent to the following address to reach the Commission by 7 June 2013 at the latest:

 Responsible service: European Commission, Directorate General for the Environment, Unit C.2 – Waste Management
 E-mail:  ENV-PLASTIC-GREEN-PAPER@ec.europa.eu

Postal address:  European Commission
DG Environment, Unit C.2 Waste Management
1049 Brussels
Belgium

 

 

 

Consultation on proposed amendment to Waste Facility Permit  Regulations

 

Mr. Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, in the context of the rise in the number of cases of metal theft, has reviewed the waste licensing and permitting legislation, to put in place measures to ensure traceability and to avoid situations that might be exploited by criminal elements.  In this regard, draft amending regulations known as the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) (Amendment) Regulations (pdf, 29kb) are now being put forward for public consultation. 

Main points of proposed Amendments

In order to achieve full traceability of waste received, ensure full compliance with the provisions of the Waste Management Act, and to counter the trade in stolen metal, it is proposed to amend the Facility Permit Regulation 2007 to create the following additional requirements on all permitted facilities when receiving/purchasing waste:

(a) prohibit cash payments in respect of material received;
(b) prohibit the purchase of metals which have been damaged by fire;
(c) require the production of proof of identity and current address of the person supplying the material,
(d) require records to be kept of the registration number and waste collection permit number of the delivery vehicle,
(e) require records to be kept describing the materials, time and date of sale, weight and amount paid etc.
(f) require a signed statement by the person supplying the material that they are the lawful owner of the material or have the consent of the lawful owner to sell the material.
 

Consultation Period

Comments and submissions in relation to the proposed Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 can be sent to the Department, by email or by post, to the following contacts by Friday 14 December 2012.


Email address: wasteconsultation@environ.ie

Postal Address:
Waste Policy Consultation
Waste Policy Section, Room 2.01
Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government,
Custom House,
Dublin 1.


Please note that all submissions and comments submitted to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government for this purpose are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

 

Review Of The Producer Responsibilty Initiative Model In Ireland

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) has commenced a wide ranging review of the existing producer responsibility (PR) agreements which are currently in operation in Ireland and wishes to explore the potential for the introduction of additional producer responsibility initiatives to help Ireland to meet its environmental obligations.

 

This review will examine:

 

  • The operation of the existing producer responsibility agreements;
  • the scope for additional measures to improve the effectiveness of the existing producer responsibility agreements; and
  • the potential to introduce further producer responsibility initiatives for the management of additional waste streams.

 

The overall purpose of this review is to assess the nature and level of the challenges which are currently facing the existing Producer Responsibility Agreements as well as the forthcoming challenges that are expected to arise in the management of various waste streams. It is anticipated that the findings and recommendations from the review will form the basis for the development of robust producer responsibility initiatives that will enable Ireland to operate successfully in meeting our domestic and EU environmental obligations in the medium to long term.

Comments and submissions can be sent to the Department by e mail (or by post) to the following contacts by 5.00 p.m. on Wednesday 25th July 2012.

 

E mail:             prireview@environ.ie

 

Post:                Consultation on the Review of the Producer Responsibility Initiative

Model in Ireland,

                        Environment Policy & Awareness Section,   

                        Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government,

                        Newtown Road,

                        Co. Wexford.

 

Development of End Of Waste Criteria for Waste Plastic for Conversion


As you may be aware a legal framework to govern “end-of-waste status” for specific waste types has been created under Article 6 of Revised Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC. The benefits of this approach include supporting recycling markets, increasing recycling (with consequent saving of material resources, energy and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions) and improving the implementation of waste management law. This is to be achieved by setting quality criteria for specific secondary raw materials via Community legislation that is legally binding in its application to all Member States, harmonising the various criteria to be used by Member States across the EU, thereby creating legal certainty and reducing administrative burden.

In 2011 the European Commission set up a Technical Working Group (TWG) for the development of technical proposals on end-of-waste criteria for waste plastic for conversion. The purpose of the TWG is to support the European Commission in preparing measures with specific criteria under Article 6 of the Waste Framework Directive (WFD - 2008/98/EC). The work of the group was managed by the JRC-IPTS of the European Commission. The Commission has indicated that it may propose, on the basis of this work, legislation governing the application of end of waste criteria for waste plastic for conversion under the regulatory procedure referred to in Articles 6(2) and 39(2) of the WFD ('comitology').

The TWG met twice (November 2011 & May 2012) in workshop format and used as a starting point a working document developed by the IPTS. The two workshops focused on the development of the document which contains technical proposals on end-of-waste criteria for waste plastic for conversion. 

The Department is now inviting comments on the attached working document which has been prepared by JRC-IPTS of the European Commission.   The proposed criteria are outlined in Chapter 3 with a summarised version in Annex VI.  The Department is inviting views/comments on the proposals and would particularly draw attention to the following:-

  • Scope- the document limits scope to mechanical recycling (chemical or feedstock recycling not included).  Please note that mechanical and chemical/feedstock recycling are defined in the document. 
  • Appropriate input materials - proposed negative list approach which means  that certain items will be excluded. However it is proposed in the document to only exclude healthcare waste.  Should other input be excluded?
  • Product quality  - in particular is the suggested non plastic component( p 141)  of less than 1% appropriate?  (Note non plastic means any material which is not plastic but excludes materials that are integral constituents of the plastic structure such as fillers and reinforcements).  Non hazardousness and how this should be determined?   In particular the relationship to REACH and CLP ( p 145)
  • Processes and Techniques ( p 150) – should these be more specific e.g. specify size reduction to a maximum size,  prescribe polymer specific or origin specific minimum treatments?
  • Provision of information – i.e. what in your opinion is required to demonstrate that EoW criteria have been satisfied?  See Section 3.5 of document. 
  • Quality Management – would you endorse a requirement to join EuCertPlast or similar scheme as a requirement? ( see page 159). 

Furthermore your response to the questions posed throughout the document would provide us with very useful information. 

It is important when submitting comments that consideration is always given to the 4 basic conditions for End of Waste as they have been defined in Article 6 of the Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC):

‘Certain specified waste shall cease to be waste within the meaning of point (1) of
Article 3 when it has undergone a recovery, including recycling, operation and
complies with specific criteria to be developed in accordance with the following
conditions:

(a) the substance or object is commonly used for specific purposes;
(b) a market or demand exists for such a substance or object;
(c) the substance or object fulfils the technical requirements for the specific purposes
and meets the existing legislation and standards applicable to products; and
(d) the use of the substance or object will not lead to overall adverse environmental
or human health impacts.

The criteria shall include limit values for pollutants where necessary and shall take
into account any possible adverse environmental effects of the substance or object.’

Submissions and comments on this draft Working Document are invited from Industry and other interested parties and should be forwarded in writing or by email, to the address indicated below by Friday 22nd June, 2012.  Please ensure that all correspondence is clearly marked with “ End of Waste Criteria for Waste Plastic for Conversion” . 


Email: jean.clarke@environ.ie


Post:  Waste Policy Section
End of Waste Criteria for Waste Plastic for Conversion,
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Custom House
Dublin 1


Please not that all submissions and comments submitted to the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government for this purpose are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003. 

 

 

Development of End of Waste Criteria for Biodegradable Waste subject to Biological Treatment

 

The Department is seeking submissions/comments on the attached working document 'Technical report for End-of-waste criteria on Biodegradable waste subject to biological treatment'. For additional information and details on the areas under consideration please refer to the attached document 'Consultation - Development of EoW Criteria for Biodegradable Waste'

Submissions and comments on this draft document are invited from Industry and other interested parties and should be forwarded in writing or by email, to the address indicated below by Tuesday the 20th of December 2011. Please ensure that all correspondence is clearly marked with ‘End of Waste Criteria for Biodegradable Waste Consultation’

Email:
eoghan.coughlan@environ.ie

Post:
Waste Policy Section,
End of Waste Criteria for Biodegradable Waste Consultation,
Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government,       
Room 2.01,
Custom House,
Dublin 1.

Tel: +353 (0) 1 888 2474

Please note that all submissions and comments submitted to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government for this purpose are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

Technical Report for EoW Criteria on Biodegradable Waste subject to Biological Treatment

Consultation - Development of EoW Criteria for Biodegradable Waste




A New National Waste Policy - Discussion Document


The Programme for Government commits to putting in place a national waste policy that will adhere to the EU waste hierarchy and deliver a coherent approach to waste management, minimising the waste going to landfill and maximising resource recovery.

 

The discussion document (available in English and Irish) has been prepared against that background. It is designed to promote discussion and debate and to provide an opportunity for all interested parties to input into the development of a policy framework that will shape our approach to waste management for the next decade and beyond. 

Launching the discussion document, Minister Hogan emphasised the importance of ensuring that the new policy is informed by a broad range of interests. “In addition to receiving the essential perspectives of analysts of waste policy and the waste industry itself, I am anxious also to receive the views of the public and those businesses and other organisations which are customers of waste services. The discussion document is not prescriptive - instead it sets out a range of possible policy initiatives and issues for wider consideration and presents a real opportunity for interested parties to contribute to shaping a new national waste policy”, commented the Minister.

Comments and submissions can be sent to the Department by email (or by post) to the following contacts by Friday 30 September 2011. It is intended that the finalised policy will be completed by end-2011.

Email: wasteconsultation@environ.ie

Post: Waste Policy Consultation Room 2.01,
Waste Policy Section,
Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government,
Custom House,
Dublin 1.

Waste Policy Discussion Document 2011 (pdf, 227kb)

(An irish version of this document is available on the irish version of this site).

 Responses Received

 

Reorganising Household Waste Collection


Update: A large number of responses to the public consultation on household waste collection were received. On behalf of Minister Hogan, the Department thanks all consultees.

Responses Received


Mr Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, has published a discussion document to help inform public consultation on the Government’s commitment to reorganise household waste collection.

The Programme for Government states that the Government will introduce competitive tendering for local household waste collection services. It is envisaged that service providers will bid to provide waste collection services in a given area, for a given period of time and to a guaranteed level of service.

Altering the Structure of Household Waste Collection Markets - Discussion Document (pdf, 279kb)

Responses to the discussion document are invited, which should be provided to the undersigned not later than Friday 2 September 2011, which is the close of the consultation period. All responses will  be published online. Responses may be sent by post or email.

By post:

Eoin Corrigan
Custom House
Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
Dublin 1

By email: eoin_corrigan@environ.ie


 

Possible Packaging Levy

 

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government now wishes to begin a process of consultation with industry, other stakeholders and the public on a possible levy on packaging. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to drive a waste reduction programme as part of the overall policy in the area of a sustainable waste. One of the possible elements of this waste reduction strategy is a levy on packaging.

The main issues which it is intended to examine in this consultation are as follows:

  • The overall views by stakeholders on a packaging levy;
  • How a packaging levy might be operated;
  • International experiences of similar levies; and
  • How a possible packaging levy might be structured in order to contribute to a reduction in packaging waste.

We would now invite comments specifically addressing these topics; although respondents are also free to comment on any other aspects of this issue. Comments should be submitted by email or by post to the address below by 5pm Friday 5th August 2011.

Packaging Levy Consultation,
Environmental Policy and Awareness,
Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government,
Newtown Road,
Wexford.

Telephone: +353 (0)53 911 7438/7343/7374
Email:  packaginglevy@environ.ie

Please note that all submissions and comments submitted to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government for this purpose may be subject to release under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 to 2003, the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations (2007) and may be placed on the Department’s website.



New Draft Statement of Waste Policy (closed)


The Programme for Government included a commitment to undertake an international review of waste management policy. An important milestone was reached late in 2009 with the delivery and publication of the report of the consultants engaged to carry out a study to underpin the review. 

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has prepared a new draft Statement of Waste Policy arising from the recommendations of the report.  The statement is designed to set a policy context which will ensure that waste management services are delivered by the public and private sectors in an environmentally progressive and cost efficient manner.

In advance of finalising the Statement of Waste Policy by Government, comments are invited from relevant stakeholders and any other interested parties. 

An irish version of the draft statement on waste policy is available on the irish version of our website.



Draft Regulations Requiring the Provision of Food Waste Collections (closed)


As part of the policy development process, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is prioritising the management of biodegradable waste.  Therefore, draft Regulations, which would have the effect of requiring authorised waste collectors to provide a food waste collection to households on a phased basis, are being published for public consultation.  Comments are invited from all interested parties. 

Draft Waste Management (Household Food Waste Collection) Regulations (doc, 89kb)

 

Reopening of Public Consultation on Proposed Section 60 Policy Direction on a proposed cap to incineration capacity as a proportion of municipal waste arisings (MSW) and other matters.   (closed)

 

In summer 2009, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government conducted a public consultation on an Environmental Report, prepared by environmental consultants according to Strategic Environmental Assessment requirements, to inform the policy making process for waste management in respect of a proposed Section 60 policy direction to achieve the following objectives:

  1. to ensure that incineration capacity does not reach a level such that waste is drawn to incineration which could have been dealt with by prevention, reuse, recycling, composting/anaerobic digestion of source segregated biowaste, MBT or other methods higher up the waste hierarchy;
  2. to ensure that the waste hierarchy is complied with in that local authorities, as waste management authorities, do not direct holders of waste to deliver it to lower elements in the waste hierarchy, thereby preventing them acting in support of waste management options at the bottom of the hierarchy;
  3. to ensure that the waste hierarchy is complied with in that local authorities, as waste management authorities, could direct holders of waste to deliver it to higher elements in the waste hierarchy, thereby encouraging them to act in support of waste management options at the top of the hierarchy;
  4.  to minimise the air pollution arising from trucks accessing waste facilities in built-up areas;
  5. to ensure appropriate monitoring of air pollution in the vicinity of major waste facilities;
  6. to reduce air soil and water pollution from incineration and comply with the Stockholm Convention.

Section 60 Policy Direction Capping Incineration of Municipal Waste and Other Matters - Consultation Document (doc, 20,579kb)




Invitation for Submissions


In the context of the publication of the draft Statement of Waste Policy, the publication of the report of the International Review of Waste Policy and in advance of finalising the Strategic Environmental Assessment, relevant stakeholders and any other interested parties are invited to submit submissions or comments on the report’s recommendations or in the case of previous submissions, to update or submit additional material if required.

Copies of documents referred to can be obtained from –

Ms. Evelyn Downes,
Waste Policy Section,
Department of the Environment,
Heritage and Local Government,
Custom House,
Dublin 1.

Tel. (01) 888 2466
Fax. (01) 888 2994
Email: wasteconsultation@environ.ie


Submissions and comments on the Statement of Waste Policy, the draft Regulations and proposed Section 60 Policy Direction should be forwarded to the address indicated above.

All submissions should clearly identify the process to which they relate. In the case of submissions which address more than one process, these should be clearly delineated within the submission.

Please note that all submissions and comments submitted to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for this purpose are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

The closing date for receipt of submissions and comments is close of business on 1 October 2010.

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