Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

AP/Press Association Images
recycle

We're throwing fewer black bags of rubbish into landfills

There was a a slight increase in the quantity of household waste collected in 2013.

IRELAND IS SENDING fewer black bags full of rubbish to landfills, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

An increasing share of residual waste, black bin waste, is being used as an energy source/fuel and less is being sent to landfill. This is linked to the increase in the landfill levy and the availability of more waste-to-energy outlets, including abroad, said the EPA.

Black bags 

While less black bin bags filling up landfills is welcome, the EPA finds that in terms of household waste, there was a slight increase in the quantity of household waste collected in 2013.

The trend in household waste managed per person in the State has, however, remained relatively stable since 2011.

There was a slight increase in municipal waste, from both households and commercial premises, treated at composting facilities in 2013.

Food waste

This includes an 8% increase in brown bin waste, which is mainly food waste, that is accepted at composting and anaerobic digestion facilities.

Dr Jonathan Derham, EPA Programme Manager, said the figures indicate a number of positive developments.

“An increasing reliance on the export of such waste is unsustainable. This represents a lost opportunity in terms of potential energy recovery and jobs for the State. This needs to be countered with national waste infrastructure to bring forward opportunities for the re-use of value-added material and create a circular economy”.

Read: We recycle 37 glass bottles a week per head of population and they’re mainly alcohol related>

Read: Irish CCTV cameras being streamed on Russian site>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
12
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.