Alison Healy and Tim O'Brien outline the radical regional approach being implemented in many local authorities in their areas
The regional waste-management plan for the midlands has one of the most ambitious recycling targets in the State, but this is because of its mainly rural location, according to Offaly County Council, the lead authority for the five regions involved.
The plan covers Westmeath, Offaly, Laois, Tipperary North Riding and Longford, which produces 152,000 tonnes of waste annually. It plans to increase its recycling rate from 10 per cent to 46 per cent within 15 years, according to Mr Michael Roche, director of services and the environment for Offaly County Council. Thermal treatment would process 37 per cent of waste and landfill would account for the remaining 17 per cent.
Longford county councillors rejected the plan in October 2000. However, under their new powers, all five county managers were able to override these objections. They adopted the plan last September 12th.
One of the most contentious issues will be the siting of a thermal treatment plant and a landfill in the region. Within 15 years, the plan envisages one thermal treatment plant and one landfill for the five counties. Less controversial is the target to establish 12 major recycling centres and 174 bring banks. The regional plan for the mid-west was adopted by Kerry, Limerick and Clare county councils and Limerick Corporation last September.
One of the most controversial elements is the provision of an incinerator in the region. By 2014, the plan envisages thermal treatment accounting for 45 per cent of waste, recycling accounting for just over 41 per cent and landfill making up the remaining 13.5 per cent.
Private companies are looking at possible sites in the greater Limerick area for an incinerator. Sites are also being examined for selection for regional recycling, recovery and composting facilities. Private waste collectors will be required to have separate bins for dry and mixed waste by early next year as in the midlands. The plan does not involve any new landfills.
Probably the most successful region outside of Dublin in terms of progressing a waste management strategy is the north-east.
Mr P.J. Rudden of engineering consultancy MC O'Sullivan which has drawn up most of the Republic's waste-management plans, says the infrastructure being put in place in the north-east can not only adequately handle the problem but is already well advanced. The region, which includes Meath, Louth, Monaghan and Cavan, features proposals for a new landfill as well as an incinerator, both privately operated and to be located in Co Meath. Permission for the incinerator was granted by the council in July 2001, and is under appeal. It has also granted permission for an engineered landfill of 25 hectares to accept 180,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste for 14 years.
The region has developed a strong chain of waste-recycling centres in Cavan and Dundalk, with another planned for Drogheda. A major centre has been in place for some years at Navan and similar ones planned for Kells and Trim. Additional recycling facilities are available in Monaghan.
However, Mr Rudden has sounded a warning about the use of figures for recycling success. The plans must include an ongoing search to identify markets for recyclables, he says, citing the case of Galway which has successfully gathered 40-50 per cent of its waste for recycling, but which cannot yet claim to have actually recycled the material.
In Northern Ireland, district councils have formed three regional partnerships to consider how to deal with waste in a more sustainable way. Plans which allow the introduction of thermal treatment under certain criteria have recently concluded a public consultation phase.
Because of local opposition, it is envisaged decisions on whether to install incinerators - at least one, most likely in the Belfast area - will not be taken for some years to allow reduction elements of the strategy to become established.