A campaign to reduce dumping in Limerick by one-third through the recycling of domestic waste was launched by the Mayor of Limerick, Mr Joe Harrington, and the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, yesterday.
About 2,500 householders on the northern side of the city are taking part in the first phase of a programme, which will ultimately cost £2.5 million.
The scheme involves the storage of all bio-degradable refuse such as kitchen and garden waste in special green bins.
This organic waste will be taken to a special depot and converted into compost, which will then be used in the city's parks and flower beds.
Mr Dempsey said that grant assistance of over £460,000 was approved for the project under the EU-funded Operational Programme for Environmental Services.
Limerick Corporation staff have reported a high rate of success with the project to date.
One of the first beneficiaries of the project will be the old landfill site at Longpavement. The city's green waste will help transform it into an urban park and bird sanctuary.