In line with the objectives of the national waste policy, A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, in terms of maximising the resource potential and minimising the disposal of our waste, the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2013 are designed to promote the segregation and recovery of household food waste. The Regulations impose obligations on both householders and waste collectors.
Under articles 4 and 5 of the Regulations, household waste collectors are required to provide, or arrange for the provision of, a separate collection service for food waste from households for population agglomerations in accordance with the following time schedule:
- 1 July 2013 - for population centres greater than 25,000 persons;
- 31 December 2013 - for population centres greater than 20,000 persons;
- 1 July 2014 - for population centres greater than 10,000 persons;
- 1 July 2015 - for population centres greater than 1,500 persons; and
- 1 July 2016 - for population centres greater than 500 persons.
Under article 6, householders are required to ensure either that they:
- source segregate their food waste, keeping it separate from non-biodegradable materials, other waste and contaminants and make it available for collection by an authorised waste collector; or
- subject the food waste to a home composting process; or
- bring the food waste to an authorised facility with a view to its composting or anaerobic digestion or treatment in a way which fulfils a high level of environmental protection.
Enforcement of the Regulations is a matter for the local authorities and in cases where a collector has failed to provide a food waste collection service in a defined brown bin area, affected householders should contact the local authority concerned who have significant enforcement powers under the Regulations to secure compliance by both waste collectors and householders.