According to the State of the Environment Report 2024, hazardous waste generation in Ireland has been falling since a peak in 2019.
In 2023, a total of 381,764 tonnes of hazardous waste was generated, down from 580,000 tonnes in 2019 and around 8,000 tonnes less than in 2022.
The reduction was largely linked to lower dredging activity and decreases in contaminated soils.
The National Hazardous Waste Management Plan
First published in 2021, the Plan sets out measures to improve the prevention and management of hazardous wastes that can pose risks to human health or the environment.
The EPA identified hazardous wastes as those that are “toxic, corrosive, carcinogenic, flammable or eco-toxic”.
Key focus areas of the plan include:
- Assessing national treatment capacity and infrastructure resilience
- A focus on farm hazardous waste, such as spent sheep dip and unused veterinary products
- A focus on surplus and out-of-date medicines
- A focus on household hazardous waste, including leftover paints and chemicals
‘Ireland exports half of its hazardous waste’
Of the total in 2023, 192,467 tonnes were treated in Ireland, while 189,298 tonnes were exported for treatment abroad.
The EPA stated that all exports were sent to countries that are parties to the Basel Convention, which regulates international movements of hazardous waste.
Commenting on the results of the assessment, David Flynn, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Sustainability, said: “Our report highlights a strong case for investment in Ireland’s hazardous waste treatment infrastructure.
“Ireland exports half of its hazardous waste for treatment. We cannot continue to rely on other countries to treat significant quantities of hazardous wastes generated in Ireland.”
EPA evaluation shows mixed progress
Notable steps forward include national trials for farm hazardous waste collections and household hazardous waste days, with national rollout of both systems expected from 2025.
Negotiations are also underway to establish a permanent take-back scheme for unused medicines through pharmacies by 2026.
However, the report warned that progress on domestic treatment capacity and infrastructure has been very slow.
In particular, batteries, solvents, PFAS-contaminated soils, and waste oils face risks due to limited domestic capacity.
Warren Phelan, Programme Manager for the Circular Economy, added: “The report shows some progress in establishing systems for the collection of household hazardous and farm hazardous wastes.
“However, the setting up of a national take back scheme for unused and expired medicines has been slow.
“Sustained investment to ensure the durability and resilience of these systems is needed. Producers whose products result in hazardous wastes, such as paints, oils and farm chemicals, need to take greater responsibility, including funding for their safe management.”
Ireland’s waste management landscape
The evaluation forms part of Ireland’s compliance with EU waste legislation, including the Waste Framework Directive, which requires Member States to establish separate collection systems for household hazardous waste from January 2025.
The EPA’s report also emphasised the need for “rigorous implementation” of existing waste and environmental plans to secure long-term environmental protection.
The agency called for more investment in Ireland’s waste management infrastructure in October 2024, stating that the country is continuing “to play catch up” in its sustainability progress.
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