Figures just released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ) show that households in Westmeath are now recycling 8,357 tonnes of their waste, which equates to just under 32 per cent of waste in the county.
This is up from 25 per cent on last year's figures.
4,161 tonnes of waste is being recycled using green bins, 90 tonnes in brown bins, an estimated 152 tonnes through home composting, 1,405 tonnes through bring banks and 2,549 tonnes through civic amenity centres.
These figures are announced as the EPA launches it Annual Highlights Report 2008.
The report outlines the EPA’s work in the areas of waste management, clean air, protected soil and biodiversity, sustainable use of resources, the integration and enforcement roles of the EPA and the area of water quality.
The report states that while Ireland is making good progress with recycling, the increase in the amount of waste being brought to landfill means that Ireland is facing significant challenges to meet the requirements of the Landfill Directive to restrict the quantity of biodegradable waste going to disposal.
“At the beginning of 2008, there was little indication that the world was facing an economic crisis on the scale we have witnessed,” said Dr Mary Kelly, Director General of the EPA.
“This is happening at a time when we are also facing the twin environmental challenges of a climate change crisis. Early warnings about the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change must be heeded and a more sustainable approach to natural capital must be adopted.”
“Fundamental changes will be required to ensure that economic recovery, when it comes, is low carbon economic recovery which is sustainable both economically and environmentally.
“There are also significant economic opportunities for Ireland in becoming a low-carbon and greener economy. The smart green economy must be pursued.”
The Annual Highlights Report 2008 outlines the four main environmental challenges for Ireland to address in the coming years.
They are limiting and adapting to climate change, reversing environmental degradation – particularly in relation to water pollution and the conservation status of habitats, mainstreaming environmental considerations across all sectors of the economy and
complying with environmental legislation and agreements.
“Dealing with these challenges will be made all the more difficult due to the economic downturn but failure to do so would be extremely shortsighted and will repeat failures of the past which have left Ireland with many legacy issues to address. We need to stop playing catch-up on the environment.”
“There are clearly many economic and social advantages in developing a green economy and the EPA will be placing a high priority on this area during 2009 through its research and communications programmes. Ireland, for example, has a real opportunity to become a world leader in renewables and to position itself as a net exporter of energy in years to come while radically reducing the carbon footprint of energy production.”
The Annual Highlights Report 2008 is available to download on the EPA website at http://www.epa.ie/downloads/pubs/other/corporate/name,25836,en.html
