Waste firm boss agrees to clean up depot site

A waste firm boss has agreed to fast-track improvements at a contentious city waste depot, which is being closely monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after breaches of its waste licence.

It is also understood that Country Clean is willing to move its food waste operation from the Churchfield depot on Cork’s northside to the mothballed €50m Bottlehill superdump in north Cork, if a deal can be struck with the relevant local authorities.

“This is very significant,” said residents’ spokesman Maurice Sheehan.

“It would take half of the activity out of the Churchfield depot, leaving just the blue bins operation. It would mean this depot would be for recycling only and it would probably eliminate the problems with odours.

“We will now be calling on both Cork City and County councils to work with the company and find a solution to this.”

The details emerged last night after Country Clean owner Dave O’Regan and one of his senior executives, Denis Murphy, met with eight representatives of the Northside Says No to Rubbish group, who have highlighted problems with the Churchfield depot.

Mr Sheehan welcomed the firm’s commitment to fast-track the EPA recommended improvements and to meet with residents again.

He also welcomed the decision to appoint a liaison team from the residents’ group, which will keep in regular contact with the company.

But what is most significant, he said, is an indication from Country Clean that it is willing to transfer its food waste operations from Churchfield to a section of the never-used Bottlehill waste facility if agreement can be reached with the local authorities.

Mr O’Regan is expected to issue a statement later today on the outcome of the meeting.

The residents have, over the last 10 days, ramped up their campaign to highlight problems with odour, vermin and increased truck movements caused by the depot which culminated in a blockade at the site’s access road on Monday.

The EPA has classed the site as a “national priority site” after it identified “a poor level of compliance” and several waste licence breaches. The site is licensed to handle 100,000 tonnes of waste per year.

Country Clean has already improved its bailing procedures and is now expected to fast-track several other recommended improvements, including:

-The installation of new metal cladding on a waste handling building;

-The use of special foam sealant to minimise odours;

-A new deodoriser has been installed;

-A temporary tarp cover has been installed on a large door pending the installation of a permanent solution;

-Rapid-action doors have been ordered.