Waste Management

Wednesday, 5 May 2021

Questions (157)

Alan Farrell

Question:

157. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the efforts by his Department efforts to address rising rates of hazardous waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23294/21]

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Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The most recent report on Hazardous Waste statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is for 2019 and is available at www.epa.ie. The Agency reported a figure of 580,977 tonnes of hazardous waste generated in 2019, which was up 54,580 tonnes on the 2018 figure. 65% of Ireland’s hazardous waste was exported for treatment in other European countries in 2019, compared with 73% in 2018. The Agency also noted that incinerator bottom ash from the Dublin Waste to Energy facility was re-classified as non-hazardous waste in 2020, following testing in the Netherlands. This will contribute to reduced figures In this category in 2020.

The EPA is currently revising the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan for the 2021 to 2027 period. This revision will incorporate related proposals in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy and examine where additional national capacity is feasible.

Reducing the rates of hazardous waste treated will require reducing the sources of such waste. Therefore, changes being introduced via the review of the Industrial Emissions Directive and the new EU Chemical Strategy, which will lead to less hazardous waste produced, are particularly important. The Agency also supports innovative projects aimed at reducing hazardous materials placed on the market via the Green Enterprise programme.