Waste management reaching crisis point, says EPA

Ireland urgently needs a modern waste management infrastructure and an integrated public transport system if it is to meet its environmental obligations, the Environmental Protection Agency said in a report published today.

Speaking at the launch of the report, the recently-appointed director general of the EPA Dr Mary Kelly said: "Ireland is now facing the most severe test yet of its resolve to deal with environmental issues."

The report also says that water quality is one of Ireland's most serious environmental problems, pointing to agriculture as the main culprit in pollution.

But in its Environment in Focus 2002report the EPA says that, overall, Ireland's environment is still generally of a high standard. Pressure on Ireland's environment is increasing mainly owing to rapid economic growth which is faster than in other European countries, the report says.

The report also says Ireland "is rapidly reaching a crisis situation in relation to waste management", where only 12.2 per cent of household and commercial waste is recycled. This falls far short of the Government target of 35 per cent, despite recent improvements in the rate of recycling.

Almost 2.3 million tonnes of waste were generated in Ireland in 2000, representing an increase of over 60 per cent in five years.

While emphasising the need to increase the level of recycling, the EPA report does not propose incineration as a means of dealing with waste. But the report says: "Waste prevention and minimisation are essential but there is also an urgent need for a modern integrated waste management infrastructure to cater for the needs of a 21st century society.

On transport, the report predicts that the "present problems are expected to intensify", as Irish car ownership reaches the EU average.

"There is a need to bring about a shift in transport use from the private vehicle to public transport in particular. An integrated, efficient public transport system is urgently required," the report concludes.

Water quality was one of the main problem areas highlighted in the report, suggesting Ireland's game fish population was under threat. Agriculture, the report concludes, is responsible for the largest inputs of phosphorus and nitrates to waters.

"To minimise water pollution from agricultural sources there is a need to promote better farmyard management, to reduce the over-application of fertilisers and to implement nutrient management planning on a broad scale."

Environment in Focus 2002is the second national environmental indicator report for Ireland, produced by the EPA.

It was launched this morning by the Minister for the Environment Mr Cullen.

Speaking at the launch Mr Cullen said the report is "further evidence that Ireland's environment is under considerable pressure - we have to tackle the various issues head on and make the tough decisions now."

Click here for full text of the EPA report (PDF format).