LIMERICK businesses and householders are being encouraged to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, to boost recycling rates and to prevent food waste in 2015.
The call has been made as part of a public consultation on a new plan that sets out a framework for waste management in 10 counties across the south of Ireland, including Limerick City and County, during the next six years.
The Southern Region Waste Management Plan, which is one of three being developed in Ireland, seeks to assist and support the community and local business sector to develop resource efficiency and waste prevention initiatives.
A one per cent reduction per annum in the quantity of household waste generated per capita over the period of the plan, a recycling/preparing for reuse rate of 50 per cent by 2020, and the elimination of the direct disposal of unprocessed residual waste to landfill from 2016, are among the key targets outlined in the plan.
The Limerick-based Southern Waste Regional Office is also urging people to “Do One More Thing” to help reduce the amount of household waste that is generated and to promote waste prevention initiatives in the workplace. According to regional waste prevention co-ordinator, Pauline McDonogh, what we do with our waste will become increasingly important in years to come.
“As natural resources deplete we will have to reuse, repair and recycle more,” Pauline explained.
The draft waste management plan for the Southern Region aims to move the management of waste from a traditional disposal model to a circular economy model so that waste becomes a future resource or raw material.
“Householders, businesses and even schools can kick-start this process by visiting our website at wwww.southernwasteregion.ie and learning how they can directly play a role in boosting household and commercial recycling rates and reducing the level of waste sent to landfill,” said Ms McDonogh.
“Among the ‘Do One More Thing’ measures being promoted is the repairing and bringing back into use of broken household items, improving the quality of recycling so less recyclable waste is contaminated, and reducing household food waste through smarter shopping, improved food storage and more efficient use of foodstuffs,” she concluded.
