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

Table 11-2: Trends in Household Waste Management
Quantity
Landfilled
Quantity
Recovered
189
2001 2001 2002 2002 2003 2003 2004 2004 2005 2005 2006 2006 2006 2007
2007
1,254,857 1,294,061 1,231,109 1,214,908 1,198,504 1,379,246 1,200,980
74,887 132,602 185,753 285,872 344,964 393,995 424,510
Total Total 1,329,744 1,426,662 1,426,662 1,416,862 1,416,862 1,500,780 1,500,780 1,543,468 1,543,468 1,773,242 1,773,242 1,773,242 1,625,490
1,625,490
Source: National Waste Database Reports, 2006 and 2007
When the levy was first introduced in Ireland, landfill gate fees were on a rising trend,
therefore (it has been suggested that) there was no real requirement to increase the
levy while landfill gate fees were on an upwards trend. In recent years however, gate
fees in Ireland have started to decrease.
� The average landfill gate fee in Ireland in 1999 was €30; 209.
� The average landfill gate fee in Ireland in 2002 was €102 (excluding landfill tax);
� In 2005 the average landfill gate fee was €124.50 (excluding landfill tax). 210
There are local variations for example the average gate fee in the Cork Region
was €182.50 in 2005 (excluding landfill tax);
� In 2006 the average landfill gate fee was €120.00 (excluding landfill tax); 211
� The average landfill gate fee in Ireland in 2007 was €112 per tonne (excluding
landfill tax), therefore it seems that the general trend in landfill gate fees are
returning to the 2002 levels. 212 In some parts of Ireland, gate fees excluding tax
have fallen to €80 per tonne.
Landfill gate fees can vary considerably across the country due to a number of factors
such as the amount of excess landfill capacity available, the amount of waste
generated and the availability of alternative landfills and waste treatment options in
the region.
Although Ireland has some of the highest landfill gate fees (pre-levy) of any Member
State, it has one of the lowest levies. However, it has to be highlighted that many
countries with high landfill taxes in place also have in place landfill bans or
209 Forfás Research, http://www.smallbusinessforum.ie
210 Study Completed by TOBIN Consulting Engineers in December 2006
211 Forfás (2007) Waste Management in Ireland, Benchmark Analysis and Policy Requirements, March
2007.
212 Forfás (2008) Waste Management in Ireland, Benchmark Analysis and Policy Requirements, May
2008.
International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes