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Is Ireland's recycling infrastructure sufficient to its needs?Best Waste Management Practice
Information on the following is provided:
Why Address Waste Management?
Waste Hierarchy
How to Take Action?
Useful Contacts
WHY ADDRESS WASTE MANAGEMENT?
In recent years the issue of waste management has increasingly become significant for businesses in Ireland. The main divers in this regard are:
1) Economic
The cost of landfilling waste has increased hugely over the last 10 years. Old style dumps have been replaced by engineered landfills. The Polluter Pays Principle, which involves passing on the full cost of waste disposal at these modern landfills, is being implemented. In addition, the Government introduced a landfill levy (€19 per tonne) in 2002 to further increase the cost of landfill and thereby encourage more environmentally friendly waste management options.
2) Environmental
It is recognised that the landfilling of waste represents the most environmentally unfriendly waste management option. Burying waste in the ground represents a waste of valuable resources and is unsustainable. Waste should only be landfilled where more environmentally friendly waste management options are unavailable. From an environmental perspective, waste reduction, reuse, recycling and energy recovery initiatives are preferable.
3) Legislative
In recent years a whole raft of waste legislation has been introduced to govern the categorisation, movement and disposal of waste (Link to Legislation Section of Website). As far as packaging waste is concerned, members should be aware that the Packaging Regulations, 2003 require that the following seven packaging wastes (if uncontaminated) be segregated and sent for recycling with an authorised waste collector:
1. aluminium
2. fibreboard (i.e. cardboard)
3. glass
4. paper
5. plastic sheeting
6. steel
7. wood
4) Public Relations
Increasingly consumers are becoming more environmentally aware and demanding a greater commitment to the environment by businesses. Members, who implement a sustainable waste management programme, can highlight this to their advantage in the market place.
WASTE HIERARCHY
Members are encouraged to follow what is known as the waste hierarchical approach in as far as possible when it comes to managing packaging waste.
As you go from the top to the bottom of the waste hierarchy pyramid, you go from the most to the least environmentally friendly waste management option. This approach, which utilises a range of environmentally sound systems and processes, is referred to as integrated waste management and is Government policy.
Reduction / Minimisation
The old adage prevention is better than cure applies to waste management. Less packaging is better for the environment and reduces costs. Members are encouraged to do all they can to both reduce the amount of packaging they supply onto the market and to purchase products with less packaging.
Reuse
Reuse of packaging can involve having a formal reuse arrangement with your supplier / customer (e.g. pallets, crates) or an informal arrangement (giving cardboard boxes away). The reuse of packaging also benefits the environment and reduces costs.
Recycling
Recycling of packaging waste entails its processing to provide the raw materials to make new products, usually packaging again. Recycling reduces the demand for raw materials and often uses less energy and causes less pollution than using raw materials. It is the recommended option where waste reduction and reuse options have been exhausted.
Under the Packaging Regulations, 2003 seven specified packaging wastes – aluminium, fibreboard (cardboard), glass, paper, plastic sheeting, steel and wood - must be segregated and sent for recycling. If any of these specified packaging wastes are contaminated, e.g. with food, then you are not obliged to recycle them
Disposing Contaminated Packaging
Energy Recovery
Energy recovery or thermal treatment involves the incineration of waste, with the resulted energy generated used, for example, to power district heating systems. Energy recovery is considered to be part of an integrated approach to waste management and is designed to deal with waste that is not readily recyclable and is combustible. It is considered preferable to landfill since a valuable and readily usable by product is produced, which is generally not the case with landfill.
Irish waste policy does not allow for incinerators, which do not incorporate energy recovery technology. As yet no energy recovery plants are operating in Ireland, although a number of proposals are at the procurement and planning stages.
Members exporting packaging waste or other wastes for incineration must take care to comply with relevant legislation.
Disposal
Disposal of waste to landfill involves the controlled deposit of waste to land. The whole thrust of our waste policy is to divert waste from landfill as it represents a waste of resources. While it is considered the less preferred option, it none the less is necessary for any wastes that cannot be managed further up the waste hierarchy.
Recent years have not only seen a reduction in the number of landfills, from 126 in 1998 to 34 in 2004, but also a dramatic increase in cost due to implementation of the Polluter Pays Principle and the Landfill Levy. This makes disposal to landfill unattractive from a cost as well as an environmental perspective.
Landfilling of specified packaging wastes is banned (unless contaminated) under the Packaging Regulations, 2003.
HOW TO TAKE ACTION?
In this section advice is provided to members on developing an effective waste management plan through a 6 Step Action Plan. While this Action Plan concentrates specifically on packaging waste, it is also applicable to other waste types.
Step 1 Ensure Management Approval
Step 2 Designate a Waste Co-ordinator / Environment Team
Step 3 Carry out a Waste Audit
Step 4 Develop Action Plan
Step 5 Implement Action Plan
Step 6 Review and Monitor Action Plan
Step 1 Ensure Management Approval
Firstly, ensure that senior management are fully committed to the concept of developing a sustainable packaging waste management plan. The potential for successful staff participation is greater when there is enthusiastic support from management.
Management could issue a company “Environmental Policy Statement”, as well as organising staff brainstorming sessions to indicate both the importance of the issue and to stimulate interest.
Remember, the advantages of tackling this issue comprehensively are many and include economic, environmental, and legislative. Why Address Waste Management?
Step 2 Designate a Waste Co-Coordinator / Environment Team
While ultimately it will be up to everyone to play their part, initially a waste co-ordinator, and also in the case of larger organisations, an environment team, will have to be designated.
The co-ordinator should be someone who is enthusiastic, communicates well with and motivates co-workers, and should be allowed enough time to implement the plan. It would also help if the co-ordinator had an interest in environmental matters.
The co-ordinator will be responsible for:
• Carrying out a waste audit to identify waste streams, volumes and current waste management practices,
• Developing an action plan to manage waste, which follows the waste hierarchical approach as much as possible,
• Overseeing the implementation of the action plan. This will involve installing appropriate waste segregation systems, contracting waste collectors, increasing staff awareness, ensuring legislative compliance etc,
• Reviewing / monitoring the progress of the plan and changing it where necessary.
In the case of larger organisations, it will be necessary to appoint an environment team or committee to assist the co-ordinator. This team should be representative of all departments and ideally contain members of management. Duties that the environment team could carry out may include, encouraging staff participation, ensuring proper segregation of wastes and reporting back any problems.
Step 3 Carry out a Waste Audit
This step is crucial as it will allow for the characterisation and quantification of wastes, as well as identifying current management practices. The results of this step will be the basis for your Action Plan.Sources for information relating to the character and quantity of waste being generated, and current management practices include:
• Receiving data from your waste collector,
• Identifying waste producing activities / equipment and associated wastes,
• Requesting packaging data from your suppliers.
An example of a worksheet design that may be of assistance to characterise, quantify and determine how you are currently managing waste is provided below:
Sample Audit Worksheet
| Waste producing activity / equipment | Waste produced | Quantity per week | Collection method | Recycled | Landfill | Other |
| Delivery area | Cardboard | 600 kg | Collected loose | . | 600 | . |
| Delivery area | Plastic sheeting | 225 kg | Collected loose | 225 | . | . |
| Canteen | Plastic bottles | 5 kg | Bin | . | 5 | . |
| Warehouse | Pallets | 400 kg | Stacked | . | . | *120 |
| Office | Stationary Boxes | 2 kg | Bin | . | 2 | . |
| Total | . | 1,232 kg | . | 225 kg | 607 kg | 120 kg |
* Sent with product to customers.
Click here for a Blank Audit Worksheet
Carrying out the above exercise will provide you with necessary baseline information to consider:
• What waste streams should be prioritised for waste reduction, reuse and recycling initiatives,
• What waste segregation, reuse systems etc are most appropriate,
• Where such systems should be installed for maximum effect,
• Likely cost.
Based on information derived from conducting the waste audit and discussion with staff, you can then set about developing an Action Plan, whose overall objective will be to divert waste from landfill.
Suggested packaging waste reduction, reuse and recycling targets for the Action Plan are outlined below. In the case of all targets set, members of staff responsible for their implementation must be clearly identified.
Waste Reduction Targets
• Purchasing products in bulk or in concentrated form,
• Request supplier to remove unnecessary packaging from product before delivery,
• Request supplier to take packaging waste back if supplier is a Major Producer and not a member of Repak,
• If your company is a member of Repak you can reduce packaging going onto market and costs by:
- lightweight packaging applied to products, e.g. reducing gauge of cardboard used,
- applying less packaging, e.g. using shrink wrap machine to more efficiently apply wrap to products,
- delivering in bulk.
Waste Reuse Targets
• Request deliveries in reusable packaging, such as reusable pallets, trolleys and crates, instead of disposable packaging,
• Reuse disposable packaging received to package outward products, e.g. cardboard boxes, pallets etc.
Waste Recycling Targets
• Segregate packaging wastes as they arise for recycling. In small businesses one collection point may suffice, while in larger businesses numerous collection points may be required,
• Choose appropriate collection receptacles for collection points – wheelie bins, bags, skips?
• Present segregated wastes at one point for collection for recycling. At this point segregated wastes can be bulked, compacted, baled as deemed appropriate,
• Contract authorised waste collector(s). Request accurate data from waste collector(s). Click here.
Again, it must be emphasised that the law requires that all aluminium, cardboard, glass, paper, plastic sheeting, steel and wood waste must be segregated and sent for recycling unless contaminated.
Example
An example of a worksheet design that may help you map out your Action Plan is outlined below:
Sample Action Plan
| Target | Action | Staff member | Deadline |
| Recycle 100% cardboard waste |
Segregate cardboard, bale cardboard, contract collector |
John | Sept. 2005 |
| Reuse all pallets | Arrange reuse loop with suppliers | Kevin | June 2005 |
| Recycle all canteen cans/bottles |
Increase staff awareness, provide separate bins |
Jean | June 2005 |
Click here for a Blank Action Plan Worksheet
One Step at a Time
It is a good idea to start implementing the easier aspects of your plan initially to generate interest and quick results. For example, the segregating and sending for recycling of cardboard is generally relatively easy and gives good results, and therefore represents a good first step. When one step has been successfully completed, then move on to the next step.
Investment
To facilitate the appropriate segregation and presentation it will be necessary to make some capital investment. The main areas of investment include:
• Bins – a wide range of wheelie bins are available to suit all needs. They are relatively cheap to buy. In many cases waste collectors will supply to customers.
• Balers – Balers represent the most cost effective way of managing plastic and cardboard packaging. Some waste collectors will only collect plastic and cardboard in baled form. Well segregated and presented packaging waste is always going to be easier and cheaper to send for recycling. Balers, which can be purchased from €5,000 upwards, generally pay for themselves within a year. They can also be rented from some waste collectors.
• Compacters – For businesses that are generating very large quantities of packaging waste, compactors represent an alternate means of waste storage. However they are relatively expensive to rent and service.
Awareness Campaign
Implementing the Action Plan involves getting the committed participation of all staff to ensure that agreed targets are met within given timeframes. As already discussed, the approval of senior management and designating a waste co-ordinator is vitally important to the success of any waste management plan. However, getting the full participation of individual staff is also vital and this requires an on-going and effective awareness campaign.
An effective awareness campaign should clearly explain the following:
• Why a waste management plan?
• What the targets are?
• How the targets will be achieved?
• Who will achieve specific targets?
• When are they to be achieve by?
Some of the principal means of conducting an awareness campaign include:
• Staff briefings,
• Posters,
• Newsletter,
• Competitions,
• Intranet.
Step 6 Review and Monitor Action Plan
When the plan is up and running, it is essential to continuously review and monitor it, evaluating the quality of the plan and identifying areas for improvement. This role of the co-ordinator and environment team in this regard is crucial.
Regular inspection of waste segregation and presentation areas, staff briefings, use of notice boards and newsletters represent some of the most effective methods of monitoring and promoting the plan.
Environmental Protection Agency
Tel 053 60600 or 1890335599
Email info@epa.ie
Website http://www.epa.ie/
Local Authorities
Contact your local authority Environmental Awareness Officer for information. Contact details can be fund at www.raceagainstwaste.com/use.htm
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Tel 01 8882000 or 1890202021
Email department@environ.ie
Website http://www.environ.ie/
ENFO
Tel 01 8882001 or 1890200191
Email info@enfo.ie
Website http://www.enfo.ie/
Chambers of Commerce of Ireland
Tel 01 6612888
Email info@chambersireland.ie
Website http://www.chambersireland.ie/
Enterprise Ireland (Environment Policy)
Tel 01 8082229
Email envirocentre@enterprise-ireland.com
Website http://www.envirocentre.ie/
IBEC
Tel 01 6051500
Email Catherine.dolan@ibec.ie
Website http://www.ibec.ie/
The Small Firms Association
Tel 01 6051500
Email info@sfa.ie
Website http://www.sfa.ie/
Irish Waste Management Association
Tel 01 6051672
Email iwma@ibec.ie
