DE BURCA CALLS FOR NEW LANDFILL FOR WICKLOW

According to councillor de Burca, Wicklow is currently facing a landfill crisis as Ballymurtagh Dump in Avoca closes at the end of this year, and the Rampere Dump in Baltinglass closes at the end of 2003. "County Wicklow is now in a very dangerous situation" says councillor de Burca "where landfill space is rapidly running out. Householders can expect their waste charges to increase dramatically as landfill space is in shorter and shorter supply in the county".

Councillor de Burca has proposed that Wicklow County Council identifies a landfill site in the county as a matter of urgency. "I am proposing that the council advertises its intention to identify a landfill site, and that it consults with the public about the site selection criteria that will be used. I believe that the more open and transparent the selection process, the more the public will be likely to co-operate with the siting of the landfill", she said. Councillor de Burca acknowledges that landfills are often opposed by local communities but she argues that this is because of the problems associated with traditional dumps.

"Basically I am proposing that the new landfill to be identified would form part of a wider waste management initiative in the county" she says. "Firstly, householders should be facilitated to separate their waste at source. Only dry non-toxic, non-recyclable waste should be taken to landfill. This will mean that issues like rats, flies, seagulls, smells or run-off from landfills that have traditionally caused problems for local communities will no longer apply. This landfill will be for residual, dry waste only".

Councillor de Burca explains that for this system to work, the council will have to introduce extensive recycling facilities in the county and that large municipal composting facilities will have to be created for wet, organic waste. "This could be achieved within eighteen months in the county if council officials and public representatives put their weight behind it " she says. "If they fail to do this, we are definitely heading down the road of incineration. I have yet to meet a member of the public who supports the idea of an incinerator in County Wicklow, as people are only too aware of the range of environmental and public health hazards caused by incineration".

For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org.