[Press Release: August 5th, 2003]

De Burca calls for a massive increase in the recycling of construction and demolition waste in Wicklow

Green Party councillor, Deirdre de Burca, has called for the full recycling of all construction and demolition waste in County Wicklow. Her comments were made following the recent publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's ' National Waste Database Report 2001' which indicated that over 3,500,000 tonnes of C&D waste was generated in Ireland in 2001, an increase of 35% over the estimated 3,651,411 tonnes produced in 1998.

"C&D waste includes any waste produced by building, repair or maintenance works, or excavated soil, demolition waste and dredging spoil" says the Green Party councillor. "Construction and demolition waste is one of the largest waste streams in Ireland. An analysis of the EPA's 2001 figures shows that new construction, repair and maintenance activities were the greatest generators of C & D waste, followed by soil excavation and demolition activities. In addition, information provided by the Marine Institute indicates that 1,257,000 tonnes of dredging spoil were disposed of at sea in 2001" she says.

Councillor de Burca points out that the Government set a target in 1998 for the recycling of at least 50% of construction and demolition waste by 2003, with a progressive increase to at least 85% recycling by 2013. "If we wish to reach these targets, local authorities will have to ensure a massive increase in the rates of recycling C&D waste" she says. "I am calling on Wicklow County Council to commit itself to using recycled C&D waste in any of the roadbuilding and other engineering works in which it is involved. Local authorities must lead by example and County Wicklow is fortunate in having a facility for the recycling of C&D waste in Kilmacanogue in the north of the county".

Councillor de Burca has also highlighted some positive projects that are occurring in Ireland using recycled C&D waste, in particular Ballymun Regeneration where a minimum of 50% of the material arising from the demolition of the tower blocks is being used in the construction of the new residential units.

The Green Party councillor claims she is concerned about the fact that despite the amount of C&D waste that is produced annually, patchy records are maintained by operators within this sector. "In order to improve confidence in construction and demolition waste generation, recovery and disposal data, improved information on construction and demolition waste disposal and recovery is required" says de Burca. "This means that all recovery and disposal operations must be appropriately authorised and records maintained" she says.

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