New waste export regulations for Ireland

New regulations to control the export of waste from Ireland for recycling and recovery have been announced by the minister for the environment, heritage and local government.


The Waste Management Regulations 2008 were unveiled by Environment Minister John Gormley.

The regulations introduce a registration system for waste brokers and dealers which ministers hope will provide increased controls on companies who arrange shipments of waste.

Mr Gormley said at present 83% of the waste in Ireland collected for recycling or recovery is “necessarily exported”.

“The movement of such large volumes of waste needs to be properly policed and controlled to prevent illegal waste activity,” he added.

Dublin city council will administer the registration system, certifying people involved and also removing those found to be breaching rules.

Mr Gormley added he was confident that the industry would welcome the new regulations and it would place “no unnecessary” administrative burden on the industry.

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