Solution sought on recycle market

THE Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) is to work with Government to find a long-term solution to the problem of the collapse of markets for recycled waste.

Ireland exports over 1.5 million tonnes of materials for recycling each year.

In recent weeks the price of commodities has collapsed, effectively closing markets for these materials.

IWMA chairman Jim Kells said: “To date the market has been very buoyant and recycling rates have increased, but the recent fall in commodity prices will have an impact across the retail, commercial, industrial and household sectors.

“The IWMA recognises that increased storage is an immediate but only a short-term means of addressing the problem,” he said.