Fifth of households have no bin collection
One fifth of Irish households have no bin-collection services, a new report reveals today.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that while large-scale illegal dumping, which blighted areas such as Wicklow for years, no longer existed, 21% of homes had not availed of, or were not provided with, waste collection.
But the EPA’s annual highlights for 2005 noted there had been a significant reduction in the illegal trafficking of waste to the North and mainland Europe.
The report also noted that 50% of councils reported problems with unauthorised waste collection in their areas and that levels of backyard burning and fly-tipping have increased.
Dr Mary Kelly, director general of the EPA, said significant progress had been made but she warned against complacency.
“Tackling illegal waste activities in Ireland was a key priority for the EPA in 2005 and I am happy to report that major illegal waste activities have been stamped out,” she said.
“However, I would caution against complacency. Environmental enforcement authorities including the EPA will have to remain vigilant. Serious legacy issues from illegal and unauthorised dumping in the past remain to be dealt with, but good progress is being made.”
The EPA said enforcement continued to yield results, with around €19m being invested by licensees following legal action to curb pollution.
Some 173 audits and 703 inspections were carried out and 619 non-compliance notices were served.
A total of 20 prosecutions were brought against licensees in the district courts while 16 convictions were secured.
Three cases were referred to higher courts involving Waterford County Council, Waterford City Council and Schwarz Pharma Limited. A further 11 cases remain to be dealt with by the courts.
Dr Kelly said: “Legal action by the EPA led to direct investment by licensees of approximately €19m to improve site infrastructure and management at various facilities during 2005.
“This was in addition to the ongoing investments being made by licensed facilities. The EPA will continue to focus on enforcement of environmental legislation in the future.”
The EPA also noted that 5,000 tonnes of electrical waste had been collected by the end of the year following the introduction of a new EU directive.
The regulations on the dumping of electrical and electronic waste, introduced in August, led to a four-fold increase on the total amount collected in 2004.
“These regulations are consumer-friendly and environment-friendly,” said Dr Kelly.
“Compliance by retailers and producers is vital to ensure the success of the scheme. Failing to comply with the requirements of the regulations potentially reduces the amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment that can be collected and diverted from landfill.”
Dr Kelly added: “Looking to the year ahead the EPA will focus on making significant progress on enforcement issues, building trust with communities, further improving customer service and targeting environmental research to help us meet new environmental challenges.
“Climate change, waste management, particularly initiatives to reduce the amounts of waste generated, and maintaining and improving the quality of waters will remain priority areas.”
