The Republic's approach to dealing with its waste has to be radically and urgently changed and backed by a new management agency if the current crisis over disposal is not to worsen, according to the business group IBEC.
In a paper to be published this month on how best to overhaul waste management structures, it concludes the national plan allocation of £650 million for solid waste infrastructure to be spent over the next seven years "will not be adequate", given the scale of the problem.
Unless the approach is changed and a way found for promptly implementing a national strategy, including measures for dealing with hazardous waste, changes demanded by tightening EU regulations will not be realised or a planned shift away from landfill materialise, it concludes.
The extent of the problem will be further illustrated later this year when waste growth at a time of buoyant economic activity will be reflected in an updated National Waste Database, notes the paper, produced by IBEC's environment unit.
While IBEC accepts new licensing requirements will mean standards in waste management facilities, particularly landfills, will be improved dramatically, it warns: "Public opposition to the siting of any type of infrastructure is at an all-time high, and could seriously compromise the ability of government, local authorities or the private sector to provide the necessary infrastructure."
The employer body says a national waste management authority similar to the National Roads Authority which oversees roads development would bring about the focus needed on management and disposal of waste in an integrated manner including prevention, recycling, development of end markets and provision of infrastructure.
A "major waste management crisis" is inevitable without key actions as a matter of priority, beginning with defining a nation al strategy and having a central authority working closely with local authorities. Regional waste management strategies and plans have been developed involving 29 authorities in eight regional groups but, it adds, "there is little evidence of their being implemented in the short term".
Local authorities are not legally obliged to provide for commercial and industrial waste disposal and, with increasing shortages of space in landfills, local authorities are beginning to turn away waste from other sectors, it finds. Unless action is taken in the short term, IBEC predicts business and commercial waste will become an acute problem.
IBEC accepts the argument for a waste management infrastructure embracing waste prevention, minimisation, reuse, recycling and recovery including waste to energy (incineration) with equitable use-related charges. On recycling, IBEC outlines how the Republic "lags far behind our EU counterparts" and calls for a more co-ordinated approach if Ireland is to meet its targets. The paper also sets out how the Government and local authorities should respond, and outlines how IBEC will play a role by providing training on waste management, promoting clean technology, raising awareness among business and co-operating with central and local government.
