International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

infrastructure with a high emphasis on waste recovery and recycling. This included a
review of alternative waste collection systems and alternative Thermal and Biological
Technologies in order to divert significant quantities of waste away form landfill.
Various options were outlined in order to segregate materials for recovery purposes,
including the use of multiple bins, alternate collection schedules, kerbside collection
and “bring” systems (e.g. bottle banks).
6.3.2 Preventing and Recycling Waste – Delivering Change
The policy agenda in relation to waste took a further step forward in March 2002 with
the publication of a policy statement specifically focused on waste prevention and
recycling. Preventing and Recycling Waste: Delivering Change set out an agenda of
initiatives designed to achieve progress at the top of the waste hierarchy, in terms of
preventing waste arising in the first place and achieving improved levels of recycling
of waste that does arise. 126 Funding to modernise Ireland’s recycling infrastructure
and other initiatives such as the introduction of a landfill levy (subsequently
introduced in mid-2002) and new Producer Responsibility Initiatives were among the
instruments envisaged. The targets as set out in Changing Our Ways remain
unchanged in “Preventing and Recycling Waste”. In addition there is a stated aim of
recovering 50% of packaging waste by 2005 (which follows from the Packaging
Directive). The policies described within this Policy document to help to achieve
targets are not supported by any quantitative information as to the likely impact that
the schemes will make, nor is progress towards them stated in any meaningful way.
6.3.2.1 Waste Prevention
A key recommendation arising from the document was that a National Waste
Management Board would be established. However, the Board has never been set
up. Even so, the document made a number of other recommendations in respect of
waste prevention.
Specifically, it noted:
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“Prevention is one of the most challenging aspects of waste management
because it demands a wide range of linked initiatives, presenting a direct
challenge to householders as well as commercial and industrial waste
producers. Excessive waste is generated through poor product development;
inefficient production or manufacturing processes, creation of disposable or
short-duration goods, and unsustainable consumption patterns – for example,
by purchasing excessively packaged products. Taking action to prevent waste
being generated in the first place is fundamental to the overriding objective of
de-coupling economic growth from growth in waste arisings. […]
An intensive and well structured waste prevention programme must now be
put in place with the overall objective of stabilising, and in the longer term
reversing, the growth in waste generation.” (Our emphasis).
126 DoELG (2002) Preventing and Recycling Waste: Delivering Change, March 2002.
International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes