News

To view a selection of recent CEWEP articles, please click here

Letter from CEWEP Ireland regarding Food Waste Regulations
Click here to view the letter

Letter from CEWEP Ireland regarding Waste Facility Levies
Click here to view the letter

Critique of International Review of Waste Policy
Legal Review prepared by A&L Goodbody
Click here to view the report

International Review of Waste Management Policy: Legal Issues arising from the Summary
Report issued to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Click here to view the report

Fichtner Review December 2009
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in Ireland (the Department) has
commissioned and received an international review of Waste Management Policy (the Review), the study being undertaken by a consortium led by Eunomia Research & Consulting. The review undertaken on behalf of the Department covers a lot of valuable and interesting ground, cites many useful references and presents the outcome of some detailed analyses comparing the performance of various alternative residual waste treatment technologies.

The Confederation of European Waste to Energy Plants (CEWEP) has asked Fichtner to briefly comment on the Summary report, particularly where the report seeks to influence the thinking of the reader with respect to the application of incineration as a residual waste treatment option. This brief response therefore focuses mainly on those parts of the summary in which incineration is featured and, of necessity, is of a qualitative rather than quantitative nature.
Click here to view the report

CEWEP Ireland makes a submission to the the Section 60 Capping of Incineration and Other Matters Environmental Report
CEWEP Ireland supports the overarching objectives of the Policy Decision insofar as they seek a high degree of environmental protection in waste treatment and aim to promote the waste hierarchy. However, in targeting waste-to-energy only, rather than a tier of the waste hierarchy like recovery or disposal, many of the objectives of the PD and the options developed from them are at odds with the Waste Framework Directive and the Landfill Directive. Furthermore, CEWEP Ireland has serious reservations about the methodology used in the Environmental Report.
Click here to view the report

The Challange Ahead: Finding Outlets for MBT in Ireland
This briefing paper was commissioned by the Irish arm of CEWEP in 2008 with the aim of raising awareness amongst makers of the key issues associated with mechanical biological treatment of waste in Ireland.
Click here to view the report

10 Questions About MBT
This briefing paper was prepared indenpendently by Juniper Consultancy Services in 2007. CEWEP Ireland commissioned the report to inform the debate over the choices being considered for Irelands residual waste management strategy.
Click here to view the report

CEWEP Ireland makes a submission to the the International Review of Waste Management Policy on Residual Waste Management
CEWEP Ireland welcomes the development of advanced mechanical biological treatment (MBT) as part of an integrated waste management system and believes that it has a role to play in meeting the Landfill Directive targets. However, CEWEP Ireland is concerned by the number of policy instruments proposed prior to the outcome of this international review that could prioritise MBT and in some cases, landfill, at the expense of waste-to-energy. There is insufficient environmental or other evidence to support discriminating between MBT and waste-to-energy. Therefore, MBT and waste-toenergy should be treated equally as alternative technologies to landfill.
Click here to view the submission

CEWEP makes presentation to Oireachtas Agricultural Committee
Jackie Keaney, Vice President of CEWEP Ireland, and John Ahern, Managing Director of CEWEP member company Indaver Ireland, made a presentation to the Oireachtas inquiry dealing with the recent pork crisis. They advised that another food crisis will hit Ireland unless necessary waste licensing and policy changes are made. The inquiry also heard of the dangers of inappropriate recycling, which have now been the cause of five separate food crises in recent years.
Click here for more information

CEWEP Ireland makes a submission to the the International Review of Waste Management Policy on Waste Recycling and Composting
CEWEP Ireland supports waste management options that are high in the waste hierarchy and believes more can be done in Ireland to incentivise recycling and composting, including limiting the amount of biological municipal waste that can be directed to landfill. However, as recent events have made extremely clear, recycling and composting cannot provide a solution to all circumstances. The Confederation considers that Reivew should include all relevant policy areas, including agriculture, climate change and energy efficiency, and invite them to make submissions in relation to the International Waste Management Policy Review.
Click here to view the submission

CEWEP Ireland makes a submission to the the International Review of Waste Management Policy on Waste Prevention and Re-use
CEWEP Ireland welcomes this opportunity to comment on the first part of the international waste policy review, covering waste prevention and re-use. Experience in Europe has shown that waste-to-energy facilities can positively impact on waste prevention or reuse activities. This is because they are
designed in line with long term waste forecasts that include waste prevention and reuse targets. Waste-to-energy facilities can assist Member States in meeting ambitious EU and national landfill diversion targets.
Click here to view the submission

CEWEP Ireland presence at the National Waste Summit 2008
Delegates of the National Waste Summit received a paper on 'Waste Policy Imperatives for Ireland' as part of their conference pack. CEWEP Ireland believes that waste-to-energy will help Ireland to meet the challenges currently facing the waste management sector. With appropriate waste policy and fiscal measures Ireland can move away from landfill and meet its EU targets for waste, energy and climate change.
Click here to view the paper

CEWEP Ireland makes a submission to Nevitt Landfill Planning Application
As part of a nationwide campaign to highlight the impact of excess landfill capacity on the development of alternative waste management technologies, a submission was made to the oral hearing.
Click here to view the submission

CEWEP makes presentation to Oireachtas Climate Change Committee
Jackie Keaney, Vice President of CEWEP Ireland, and John Ahern, Managing Director of CEWEP member company Indaver Ireland, outlined to the Committee the benefits for waste-to-energy (WTE) within the context of climate change and energy security.
Click here to view the presentation

CEWEP Ireland makes a submission to the Regulatory Impact
Assessment of a Waste Facilities Levy
At the end of August the Minister for the Environment signalled his intention to introduce new market based legislation by advertising for submissions to a Regulatory Impact Assessment of a Waste Facilities Levy. CEWEP has submitted a comprehensive paper outlining the Confederation’s concerns about the impact such a range of levies would have on the future Waste-to-Energy sector in Ireland. Levies such as those proposed should be based on all of the necessary economic and environmental, energy and climate change data in order to change behaviour in line with the waste hierarchy. CEWEP Ireland welcomes the proposal to increase the landfill levy. However, the Confederation believes the introduction of levies at this time on waste facilities other than landfill, with differential levies on the output from those facilities, is premature, unjustified and likely to distort competition. It is also likely to dis-incentivise the very thing that is required: investment in alternative waste management facilities to treat residual waste.

Click here to view the submission

CEWEP Ireland Ezine
We have just launched the CEWEP Ireland newsletter, an ezine which is emailed straight to you. The newsletter will keep you up-to-date with Irish, European and worldwide developments in the field of waste-to-energy. If you wish to subscribe please send an email to info@cewepireland.com.

CEWEP Ireland expresses concern at latest Landfill Tracker figures
CEWEP Ireland has reviewed the national capacity and the amount of residual waste going to landfill in 2007. The findings show that the quantity of residual waste going to landfill has increased on 2006 which makes Ireland’s task of meeting the 2010 landfill diversion target an increasingly impossible one.

To see the Landfill Reliance Briefing Paper, click here
To see graph illustrating the Distance to Landfill Diversion Targets, click here

CEWEP Ireland makes a submission to Drehid Landfill Planning Application
CEWEP is making this submission as part of a nationwide campaign to highlight the impact of excess landfill capacity on the development of alternative waste management technologies, such as waste-to-energy. It is critical that any new landfill developments do not exacerbate the current oversupply in landfill capacity and continue Ireland’s over reliance on landfill for waste disposal.

Click here to view the submission

CEWEP Ireland expressed its concerns regarding the Irish Government Waste Policy Review
CEWEP is taking a keen interest in the intended Irish Government Waste Policy Review and would hope that this review will be balanced, credible and undertaken without controversy. CEWEP has written to the Government on this topic.

Click here to view the letter

CEWEP submits Evidence to EPA Oral Hearing for the Fingal Landfill Facility at Tooman/Nevittlandfill
CEWEP objected to the grant by the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) of an operating licence to the proposed facility. It is submitted that the proposal contravenes Irish and European waste policy, the facility is not needed and it would pose an unnecessary risk to the environment.

Click here to view the submission

Waste to energy and Climate Change Report

Research on behalf of the Dutch Waste Management Association has found potential to reduce Carbon dioxide emissions in the EU via a balanced policy that promotes prevention and recycling, and at the same time the generation of energy from waste. The findings show that if waste-to-energy were to replace landfill for residual waste in Ireland, between 622,000 to 821,000 tons CO2 per year would be avoided. This is equivalent to taking approximately 200,000 cars off the road every year.

Click here to view the report

CEWEP Ireland communicates concern regarding landfill capacity

CEWEP Ireland is concerned about the impact of excess landfill capacity on Ireland’s landfill diversion targets. Please find attached a letter sent to Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding the Enforcement of Landfill Diversion Targets.

Click here to view the letter

CEWEP Ireland Releases New Landfill Report

Since Ireland’s first waste policy document in 1998, Changing Our Ways, one of the key priorities for waste management has been to reduce our reliance on landfill. Between 2001 and 2004 the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) going to landfill decreased by as much as 8% despite high economic growth. However, according to new CEWEP figures, the amount of waste going to landfill has begun to increase again and Ireland’s reliance on landfill is now greater than ever.
This document attempts to provide insight into how this new trend arose and explores the impacts it has on the Irish waste management system.

To see the report in fill, please click here

CEWEP Ireland makes an observation regarding proposed landfill facility in Co. Kildare

CEWEP is making this observation to highlight concerns that the Kilkullen landfill will add to Ireland’s already excess landfill capacity and continue Ireland’s reliance on landfill disposal. Therefore, the ‘need’ for such a facility cannot be justified in the context of sustainable development and national and EU waste policy.

Click here to view a copy of this observation

CEWEP Ireland makes submission on Proposed Landfill in Co. Cork

CEWEP Ireland made a submission to object to the application for planning approval for a landfill at Ballyguyroe, Co. Cork. The grounds for this objection are that the ‘need’ for such a facility cannot be justified in the context of sustainable development and national and EU waste policy.

At present in Ireland, approved landfill capacity is double that actually required for residual waste disposal. National waste policy recognises that excess landfill capacity prevents the development of more sustainable waste management solutions. This has important knock on effects, particularly on landfill diversion targets, international competitiveness and greenhouse gas emissions.

Click here to view a copy of the submission

CEWEP Ireland makes submission on Proposed Circular No. WIR 09/07

The Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government is proposing to issue a policy direction under section 60 of the Waste Management Act.

The direction seeks to promote recycling and to address the amount of waste being consigned to landfill as required by the European Landfill Directive.

The Circular also seeks to prioritise the development of mechanical biological treatment (MBT) ahead of waste-to-energy, and to place waste-to-enerhu with landfill at the bottom of the waste hierarchy as a disposal technology.

Click here to view a copy of the submission

Waste-to-Energy Mitigates Climate Change

In recent months, climate change has moved to the top of international, European and national political agendas.

As part of CEWEP Ireland's ongoing communications programme, we have published a policy brochure designed to inform policy makers and other interested parties of how waste-to-energy (incinerators with energy recovery) can contribute towards meeting climate change, renewable energy and landfill diversion targets.

CEWEP Ireland are exhibiting at the Environment Ireland conference in the Burlington Hotel on the 3rd and 4th September, where Minister Gormely will be making the opening speech.

Click here to view a copy of the CEWEP Policy Brochure

Click here to view a copy of the Briefing Paper

Click here to view a copy of our press release

CEWEP has made a submission to the EPA's Draft 2020 Vision document

In February 2007, CEWEP submitted a response to the Environmental Protection Agency's Draft 2020 Vision document.

The response addresses the very positive direction of the 2020 Vision goals and targets, with particular reference to Sustainable Use of Resources. It highlights the importance of the EPA's commitment to greater coordination between departments and recognition of key challenges in the waste sector. It includes recommendations that would compliment the EPA's role of licensing and permitting waste activities, such as directing waste, banning certain waste streams to landfill and the EPA’s role in providing advise to policy and decision makers, including increasing the existing landfill levy.

CEWEP Ireland welcomes the opportunity to provide input as part of this consultation process.

Click here to view CEWEP's submission to the EPA

Objection to Fingal County Council's proposed large-scale landfill submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency

In January 2007, CEWEP made a submission to the EPA regarding the application by Fingal County Council for a Waste Licence to operate the proposed large-scale landfill facility in North County Dublin. This described the impact of the facility on excess landfill capacity, and how this would negatively affect the development of waste treatment options higher in the waste hierarchy, Ireland’s ability to meet EU and national landfill diversion targets. As such it was submitted that the project could not be justified in relation to the unnecessary impacts caused to the environment. It reiterates the fact that the development does not achieve the balance between the need to protect the environment and the need for progress and development would be disrupted.

Click here to view CEWEP's submission to the EPA

CEWEP has made a submission to a Public Consultation on Irish Energy Policy

CEWEP Ireland prepared a submission in response to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR) policy paper 'Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland' published in October 2006.

This submission highlights the role that WTE plays in the European energy agenda, towards the sustainability, security and competitiveness of energy supply. It outlined the activities that CEWEP and CEWEP Ireland are carrying out in order to promote the development of WTE in the context of both waste and energy policy.

A number of recommendations are also made to facilitate the development of sustainable Waste to Energy (WTE) facilities in Ireland in line with EU and Irish waste and energy policy. These include aligning waste and energy policy, providing ongoing support mechanisms to renewable energy generated, recognising and supporting district heating and ensuring that high environmental standards are applied to all energy recovery facilities for waste treatment in line with the EU Waste Incineration Directive.

Click here to view CEWEP Ireland's response

More information on the consultation paper is available from the Department website www.dcmnr.gov.ie

CEWEP has submitted to An Bord Pleanala an objection to Fingal County Council

CEWEP has submitted to An Bord Pleanala an objection to the application by Fingal County Council for planning approval of a landfill at Tooman/Nevitt in North County Dublin. The grounds for this objection are that the "need" for such a facility cannot be justified in the context of national and EU waste policy.

For more information

In response to the objections received, An Bord Pleanala held an Oral Hearing for the proposed Fingal Landfill project in October 2006. CEWEP made a submission at this hearing, which was presented to the inspector.

The submission challenged the need for the project, on the basis that there is no need, whether in the short, medium or long term for the proposed landfill. It also highlighted that the entire project as presented by Fingal County Council was based on a flawed premise as to the necessity for additional landfill capacity to service its waste disposal requirements. Much of the information presented was drawn from the CEWEP report entitled Excess Landfill Capacity - Impact on Implementation of Irish Waste Policy which is available below.

Click here to view CEWEP submission

Click here to view CEWEP presentation

CEWEP has made a submission to a Public Consultation on Waste Regulation

CEWEP Ireland made a submission in response to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government's public consultation on regulation in the waste sector in October 2006.

The response highlights the current excess in landfill capacity, as detailed in the CEWEP publication Excess Landfill Capacity: Impacts on the Implementation of Irish Waste Policy. It identifies the need to drive investment in alternative competing technologies, which could be facilitated through implementing a high landfill levy. Finally, the response recommends that this be implemented and monitored by an existing State Agency already familiar with the waste sector, such as the EPA.

Click here to view CEWEP Ireland's response

CEWEP publishes new report entitled: ‘Excess Landfill Capacity – Impact on Implementation of Irish Waste Policy’

CEWEP published a report entitled “Who are the Protectors of Regional Waste Management Plans in Ireland?” in 2005, to highlight the fact that Regional Waste Management Plans in Ireland were not being adhered to. Since then, these plans have been revised, and landfill capacity has continued to rise. CEWEP has published a new report to outline issues arising from the revised Regional Waste Management Plans, and explores CEWEP’s ongoing concern about excess landfill capacity.

The Confederation recognises that landfill has a role to play in an integrated waste management system. However, excess landfill capacity will prevent the development of alternative technologies that are higher up on the waste hierarchy. National policy calls for the diversion of waste away from landfill, and fixes diversion targets for 2014. Despite this, the revised Regional Waste Management Plans, which play a key role in implementing this policy, do not specify short to medium term landfill capacities that align with these targets.

For more information on CEWEP's new report on Excess Landfill Capacity

Who are the Protectors of the Regional Waste Management Plans?

CEWEP has researched on a national level all current landfill facilities and their potential for future expansion and any proposed or future landfill facilities. Our research suggests that the integrity of the regional waste management plans, and their planned capacities for landfill, are not being protected.

We have published this research and its findings in a report entitled 'Who are the Protectors of the Regional Waste Management Plans?'. This report also outlines our concern that excess landfill capacity will undermine the implementation of a successful integrated waste management system and the development of recycling and waste-to-energy infrastructure in Ireland. It recommends a number of mechanisms which have been used extensively in Europe to ensure implementation of a successful integrated waste management system, such as landfill restrictions, annual permitting of landfill capacity, scaling back of future landfills, landfill bans and incremental landfill tax.

Who are the Protectors of the Waste Management Plans in Ireland?