Limerick next for the toxic treatment?
Has Co Limerick not go enough environmental problems already? As well as the problems with cattle and human health in Askeaton, and the acid rain emissions from Moneypoint, is the county now also going to landed with a huge incinerator?
If this incinerator ever gets built it is quite likely that its licence will be similar to those for the municipal and toxic waste incinerators planned for Ringaskiddy. Each of these is allowed to put dioxins, furans, lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium and other chemicals into our air.
Replacing landfill with incineration is neither a safe nor a satisfactory option. We have to learn instead how to conserve the earth’s precious resources and how to stop using them for making waste in the first place.
We must go back to the drawing board for everything that we throw away, and ask that things be designed so that the public are not left with packaging rubbish and broken gadgets to dispose of. We must learn from the example of forward-thinking companies like Ecover, with the nifty little cardboard washing powder scoops, and Rank Xerox, with their take-back service for old photocopiers.
Let’s start cleaning up lush, green, fertile Co Limerick, and not adding to their problems.
Fern Allen
The Tree House
Barnabrow
Midleton
Co Cork
