Where might this melange of nasty substances be found? A 20-litre drum of toxic pesticides; a 60-litre drum of corrosive pesticides; a 200-litre drum of obsolete medicines; 180 litres of waste oil; various drums of waste paint as well as batteries and fluorescent tubes. The answer is in private homes.
Recently, in partnership with Cork Council Council, the pharmaceutical manufacturer Janssen provided a hazardous waste collection service for the householders of Carrigaline and Riverstown. The free scheme was delivered by Cara Environmental Services. People were invited to bring their hazardous waste to the Carachemcar which called to the various neighbourhoods. There was a good response with home owners happy to dispose of potentially dangerous substances. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that some 7,000 metric tonnes of hazardous household waste is disposed of in Irish landfill sites each year. This represents a significant pollution hazard - the waste collected by Cara contained everything from mercury to heavy metals, including cadmium, nickel and zinc. After collection, Cara separates the waste and sends it to licensed facilities for treatment.
Horizons, the newsletter of the Irish Pharmaceutical and Chemical Manufacturers' Federation, also reports plans to extend the scheme to a monthly collection at various points in Co Cork. The aim is to bring on board many more community and environmental groups. The collection points will be well advertised in advance.