Inequality in private waste management

The Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA), an affiliate of IBEC, welcomed yesterday the publication of the new Market Development Programme for recycled materials but said it believes the Government must also address market inequalities facing private waste operators.

IWMA director Erik O’Donovan said some 1.5 million tonnes of waste was recycled last year but only 17% of this was recycled at home.

He said: “The new pro- gramme is undoubtedly necessary to create a demand for recycled products and to encourage investment in indigenous recycling infrastructure. However, the private waste sector continues to face market and regulatory uncertain- ties in trying to deliver new waste management infrastructure.”