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

prevention and waste recycling, whilst waste recycling targets tend to underplay, and
sometimes even undermine, waste prevention (especially where garden waste
collections are offered free of charge). We recommend this for Ireland.
We did consider that a residual waste target might be appropriate for packaging. We
looked at Irish performance in this regard in Annex 12.0, and noted that it appeared
to be comparatively poor, but also that the data might not be reliable. The data is the
main reason for not pursuing this target. It should be noted that under such a target,
‘self-compliance’ is not possible. All that all producers (major and otherwise) can do is
contribute to the meeting of this target as part of a collective. This might, in some
respects, make enforcement somewhat more straightforward, especially in the Irish
case where only one compliance scheme exists.
As regards recycling targets, these are proposed in the Main Report.
As regards targets on reducing waste sent to landfill, the EPA’s pre-treatment
requirements should ensure that in due course, no waste which has not undergone
pre-treatment is landfilled.
The potential impact of these targets, at least in respect of municipal waste, is
discussed below in Annex 63.0.
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