Wasting opportunities - Small changes would make a big difference

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen was hardly granted a moment to savour last weekend’s Lisbon victory before he was reminded, as if he needed reminding, that he faces far greater challenges ahead. He is not alone, we all do.

Lisbon and the banking and economic crisis pale when compared with the consequences of unfettered climate change and our seeming inability to reduce the ever-increasing quantities of waste we generate.

The OECD tell us that household waste in its 30 member states increased from 546m tonnes, in 1995, to 614m a decade later. Our commitment to recycling — 36% of municipal waste, 65% of packaging — has not reduced the quantity of waste we generate.