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

51.4 Existing Targets
Several targets apply to Ireland through the application of EU legislation, whilst others
have been set at the national level in support of the delivery of EU targets. A brief
review of these is offered below.
51.4.1 Landfill Directive
In 1995, Ireland landfilled 1.29 million tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste
(BMW). 865 The Landfill Directive targets imply, therefore, that:
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• No more than 967 thousand tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste may be
landfilled in 2010;
• No more than 645 thousand tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste may be
landfilled in 2013; and
• No more than 451 thousand tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste may be
landfilled in 2016.
The targets imply successive reductions in absolute quantities of BMW being
landfilled. For Ireland, the most worrying fact is that despite improvements in
recycling of household and commercial waste, the rate of growth in BMW has nullified
these efforts in terms of their contribution to Landfill Directive targets. The country
appears to be ‘running to stand still’, with landfilled BMW still higher in 2007 than it
was in 1995 (see Figure 51-5).
This re-iterates the points made earlier concerning:
� the need to be clear about whether what is classified as commercial waste
really is commercial waste. The growth in what is reported as BMW, and the
actual quantity of BMW may be two completely different things. 866 Given the
potential ramifications (in terms of cost and timing) of over-estimating MSW,
and hence (through applying composition data derived from Characterisation
Studies related to specific waste streams), BMW, some detailed investigations,
and potentially, even measures to keep waste streams separate, might be
desirable; and
� the need to step up activity in respect of source separation of the major
components of biowaste.
elaborated. The EPA is clearly – on the basis of communications with them - confident that the
Guidance will achieve what it sets out to. However, confidence in this regard might have been
enhanced had the document been clearer on a number of matters which are of material significance.
865 EPA (2003) National Waste Report 2001, Johnstown Castle Estate: EPA.
866 The EPA recognises that the basis for understanding the composition of BMW in the waste stream
is not ideal from the perspective of what is reported as municipal waste by landfill operators. According
to personal communications, the supposition is that ‘genuine’ municipal waste is frequently mixed with
other materials, such as C&D waste, before being sent to landfill, where all the material is declared as
MSW.
29/09/09