At one level, Irish waste problems point to a dismal failure to put in place an effective and clean management system that avoids a policy of over-reliance on using landfills. Indications of failure are all too evident, as confirmed by this week's Irish Times news feature series.
Local authorities have grossly underestimated waste volumes being generated by households, retail outlets and industry. Five years ago, it was described as a crisis: municipal and commercial waste has increased by 60 per cent and construction waste doubled in the meantime. As the waste mountain grows, we continue to be among the worst recyclers of refuse in Europe; to such an extent that landfill capacity in the State could be exhausted within five years.
The "not in my backyard" approach has such a grip on communities that any waste processing facility is objected to, no matter how environmentally appropriate it may be. The issue of local responsibility for locally-produced waste is conveniently pushed to one side. Equally, reluctance to consider options and to embrace new thinking has been all too evident among public representatives, many of whom are now complaining that the new Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, is by-passing the democratic process in attempting to fast-track planning for waste facilities.Perhaps most ominously, the Irish recycling sector is in a precarious financial position.
There are some positive indicators. Recycling is beginning to be adopted meaningfully in many communities. Some local authorities have, within just a few years, achieved recycling levels in excess of 50 per cent with some types of waste. In many cases councils have adopted regional waste plans, albeit with difficulty.
The Minister, Mr Cullen, has already shown bold intent, having recognised waste as the biggest problem facing him. This week he spelled out the difficulties: limited recycling infrastructure; no biological treatment capability of note; and no means of recovering energy from waste . He has stated that waste management plans must be fully implemented.
The Minister's approach is the correct one, but the biggest challenge will be implementation. His plan for an office of environmental enforcement will be the required linchpin. Enforcement - underpinned by waste traceability and thorough auditing - will also be needed. Coming late to thermal treatment - as many of the local authority plans envisage - means we can avail of the latest technology that has reduced associated pollutants to a new low.
Unfortunately, the "zero waste" approach, while admirable, is impractical in the context of the cavalier approach adopted by too many generators of waste. The Republic is at a crossroads. The old course edges us towards an inevitable breakdown of our waste management system. The other route involves new beginnings - expensive for all but rooted in a rigorous recycling and reduction approach, backed by environmentally-sound technology. In reality, there is no choice.