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

For proposed new composting facilities wishing to process animal by-products
including catering waste, the approval process is separated into two stages. The first
stage is a notification of intention to build a facility. The second stage is a formal
application for approval when the facility is built. The first stage application provides
information on the location, plant layout and processing technology/parameters, as
well as intended feedstock and end use of compost/digestate. The Department’s
Veterinary Inspectors advise of any technical change in relation to processing
technology and parameters ensuring that plant design and processing procedures are
in accordance with the regulations, and to help identify and correct potential
problems prior to capital expenditure. The DAFF also encourage alternative
commercially viable uses of such ABP products in Ireland which are consistent with
the Regulations.
In June 2006, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food introduced a Scheme of
Investment Aid for Demonstration On-Farm Waste Processing Facilities. This scheme
provided grant-aid for up to 10 projects throughout the State for the introduction or
development of on-farm waste processing facilities such as anaerobic/aerobic
digestion and fluidised bed combustion systems. The criteria for selection of projects
included the potential of the proposed project for the creation of a renewable energy
source.
37.10 Social and Distributional Consequences
In principle, the approach shifts additional costs on to the waste management sector
in favour of reducing risk for the agricultural sector. Within the waste management
sector, to the extent that costs are increased for the management of biowaste
through composting and digestion, the policy shift matters slightly in favour of
disposal and residual waste treatment.
Waste management companies say that it is not financially viable for them to collect
catering waste as a single waste stream. There is significant cost associated with this
to ensure that the waste is not contaminated with feedstocks that do not form part of
the permissible feedstocks list. The cause of this problem is regulatory uncertainty
that affects investment decisions, not solely economics. There are a few waste
management companies now collecting household biodegradable waste as a
separate waste stream.
37.11 Complementary Policies
Circular (WPPR 17/08) was issued on the implementation of Segregated ‘Brown Bin’
Collection for Biowaste and Home Composting. This Circular was issued in the wake
of a growing concern regarding Ireland’s ability to meet the targets for reducing the
quantity of biodegradable waste sent to landfill as set out in the EU Landfill Directive.
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is currently working
on a Statutory Instrument (SI) for Commercial Organic Waste to be Segregated. The
aim of the SI is to ensure that, where in the commercial sector a significant source of
organic waste arises, it will be segregated at source and presented for collection. This
sourced separated material is then suitable for downstream processing in approved
composting and anaerobic digestion facilities. This will give security of feedstock
supply to existing facilities and encourage new facilities to be built. The SI is not
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International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes