Super-dumps should be replaced, say Greens
The Greens want a total ban on incineration and greater use of the three Rs of waste management - reduce, reuse, recycle.
Putting forward a Waste Management Bill to be debated in the Dáil, GP environment spokesman Ciarán Cuffe said it was realistic that only between 5% to 10% of waste should end up in landfill.
Incinerators are being foisted upon local communities, but waste reduction was the preferable option, he said. “It will ensure the clean, green image of Ireland will be maintained for future generations,” Mr Cuffe said.
Criticising the Government’s decision to give powers on waste management strategies to county managers, he said county councillors needed to be in control. Although there will always be objections from locals, smaller well-managed sites would be better than super-dumps, he said.
Drawing an analogy with the proposed construction of a nuclear power plant in Wexford in the 1970s, GP chairman John Gormley said objectors at that time were accused of being members of the Flat Earth Society.
“We were lucky we rejected nuclear power. I believe we are making a huge mistake to go down the incineration route,” he said.
Relying upon the Environmental Protection Agency to monitor and regulate private industry would not inspire confidence as that body appeared to be in favour of incineration, Mr Gormley said.
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent said the bill would have major and positive impact for communities.
The law would place a definition of zero waste strategy in Irish legislation, Mr Sargent said.
Green Party chief whip Dan Boyle said the bill was the first time the party was putting forward legislation in the Dáil.
The Green Party has several other pieces of legislation lined up for debate, including bills on fluoridation and the dual mandate.
“This is the Green Party trying to live up to the promises we made in the election,” Mr Boyle said.
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