An internal investigation has been opened into an apparent breach of regulations in the collection of fridges by Dublin City Council.
Photographs published in a newspaper this morning show a bin truck being used to collect a fridge. Fridges can release dangerous chlorfluorocarbons (CFCs) into the atmosphere causing ozone depletion.
The report in today's Irish Examinersays the fridge was crushed in the lorry along with other bulky goods including cookers and radiators.
A City Council spokesman told ireland.comtoday the practice was contrary to policy and in breach of EU directives on the safe disposal of environmentally hazardous goods. However, the council later clarified it could only be certain a breach occurred pending the outcome of its investigation.
The spokesman said it was council policy to collect heavy household goods on flat-bed lorries but when unavailable, bin trucks are used. But all recyclable material is removed before disposal and collectors are instructed not to put fridges and televisions in bin trucks, he said.
"We have issued a strict directive to all our refuse collectors not to put fridges or TVs into road freighters [bin trucks]. It is something we take very seriously," Mr Breen said. A "disciplinary investigation" is being prepared, he added.
The environmental group Friends of the Earth said it would be in contact with the Environmental Protection Agency and would lodge a complaint "if necessary".
Its director, Oisín Coghlan, said it was his understanding that the bin trucks had collected fridges on previous occasions in the area photographed.
"What we need now is a guarantee that the council will not be collecting [heavy household goods] in bin lorries and will not be disposing of them in landfills," Mr Coghlan said.
The EPA today said could only open a formal investigation on foot of a complaint but that it would be seeking a report from the council as part of its follow-up procedure.
New legislation comes into force on Saturday requiring retailers when selling white goods - such as washing machines and freezers - to safely dispose of the old appliance for free.