Waste Management has emerged as one of the most challenging environmental issues to face Ireland in recent years. Modern lifestyles have resulted in a significant increase in the quantity but also the type of waste we are producing. Not forgetting we are also faced with the challenge of what to do with the waste. Traditionally in Ireland, the majority of waste has been landfilled and we still continue to have the same dependency on disposal. However due to new legislation, increased environmental concerns and lack of suitable disposable sites we are now turning to waste minimisation, recycling and composting as the chief means of dealing with our waste. Under the Waste Management Act 1996, all local authorities have to produce a Waste Management Plan outlining how they intend to deal with waste in the future decades. Sligo County Council conducted a public consultation exercise in 1999 to determine what options were available and if they were feasible for the County. Following the consultation, the Waste Management Plan 2000 was produced, which has effectively become the Council’s blueprint for waste management. In summary the plan recommends the following and the Council’s Environment Section is responsible for overseeing its implementation
- Significant investment in increasing recycling targets and the promotion of waste minimisation
- The development of regional landfill sites for the disposal of residual waste i.e. that waste that cannot be recycled or composted
Waste Management is one of the major issues facing Ireland.
Sligo Borough Council obligations under
the National Policy and the Connaught Waste Management
Plan requires the diversion of 50% of household waste,
65% of biodegradable (organic) waste and 85% C&D
(Construction and Demolition) waste from landfills by
2013.
The Connaught Waste Management Plan,
which reflects National and EU policy favours an Integrated
Waste Management System for Connaught, comprising of
recycling and energy recovery facilities, with land
filling of residual waste only.
Our 2013 targets for all waste generated
in Connaught is:
- Recycle 48%
- Thermally Treat 33%
- Landfill 19%
Our biggest challenge lies in reversing
the trend towards landfill, which is currently taking
over 90% of all household waste.
The Connaught Waste Management
Plan outlines the infrastructure required in each county
to achieve these reductions. www.connaughtwaste.ie
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