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

The EPA has published a new Prevention Plan 2009-2012, this document is
presented as a framework statement of intent for work to be completed on the
Prevention Programme for the four-year period to 2012, subject to resources being
available.
6.3.2.2 Waste Recycling
Preventing and Recycling Waste: Delivering Change identified the main constraints on
recycling activity historically in Ireland which included the readily availability of cheap
landfills, a perception of the inconvenience of recycling, undeveloped and fluctuating
markets for recyclables, absence of an adequate charging system and the lack of
recycling and reprocessing facilities. These constraints outlined in 2002 are similar to
what is being experienced today; currently the main barriers include the lack of stable
and economically attractive markets and outlets for recyclable materials, the lack of
development and roll out of source separation and segregated collection systems.
In this policy document, educational and awareness initiatives were identified as
being an important element to encourage the use of recycled products in Ireland. The
policy statement called for the establishment of a Market Development Group to
progress the existing work on market development and to expand market
development initiatives for recycled products on an all island basis which would be
co-ordinated through the North / South Ministerial Council. This Market Development
Group (MDG) was established by the DoEHLG in July 2004, however its Programme
was not officially launched until the end of October 2008. It was tasked with
promoting the development of markets for recycled materials. The Market
Development Programme aims to fully harness existing outlets in addition to
identifying and developing new, reliable and stable markets for recycled materials in
Ireland. The overarching Programmes will include green procurement, recycling
feasibility and demonstration projects and research and development projects. The
main waste streams that offer the greatest potential for recycling in Ireland include
organics, plastic and paper.
Over three million tonnes of municipal waste are generated annually in Ireland. The
national recovery rate for household waste reached 36.5% in 2007. Most regions
plan to achieve a recycling rate of 40% - 6-% in the coming decade, which will lead to
an increase in the volume of recyclable materials available from the domestic waste
stream. While a doubling of the recycling rate is forecast for commercial and
industrial waste. Currently the majority of waste collected in Ireland for recycling is
exported for reprocessing.
The main goals of the Market Development Group are:
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� Promote Sustainable and Indigenous Recycling Technologies;
� Stimulate Growth in Recycled Products;
� Develop Markets for Recycled Materials;
� Stimulate Demand for Recycled Materials; and
� Increase in Recycling Rates.
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