We are sleepwalking towards an environmental disaster. A growing number of illegal toxic waste dumps has been identified near major centres of population. They threaten the health of local communities and are monuments to private greed and official neglect. The Environment Protection Agency has already identified at least 487 sites where hazardous waste was dumped in the past. More are coming to light every day. The cost of the administrative work alone, in cleaning up these sites, has been put at £43 million. In spite of the worsening situation, structures have not been put in place to cope with this rural time-bomb.
The illegal disposal of waste is a hugely lucrative business. Millions of pounds have changed hands in recent years as hazardous and other materials have been dumped illegally in old quarries and landfill sites. Some Dublin and Cork-based hauliers have grown rich at the expense of the community. There appears to be little official motivation to track down and prosecute the criminals.
As a society, we have not lived up to our responsibilities. EU regulations designed to protect the environment have been paid scant attention. While domestic laws governing the disposal of toxic and other wastes have been passed, the necessary money, manpower and facilities to give them effect has not been forthcoming. Most people agree the amount of rubbish being created by domestic and industrial users is unsustainable. But few appear willing to radically alter their patterns of behaviour. Where the establishment of waste disposal facilities is concerned, there is invariably fierce local opposition.
In the three years to 1998, the total quantity of hazardous waste produced in this State rose by 13 per cent to 370,000 tonnes while exports of contaminated material amounted to about 140,000 tonnes. The situation is now much worse. Small-scale generators who are unable or unwilling to pay for treatment may pose the biggest threat. In a report published on the management of hazardous waste last July, the Environment Protection Agency recommended the establishment of incinerator and toxic landfill facilities. Last week, Forfβs - the industrial policy advisory board - called for the establishment of a national waste management agency and an incinerator for the treatment of hazardous waste. Too much time has been lost. The Government should prioritise both recommendations.