Indaver Ireland claims the twin incinerator, which will be capable of dealing with around 200,000 tonnes of hazardous and non-hazardous rubbish per year, will provide a way of cleaning up the legacy left at the former Irish Steel site on Haulbowline Island, according to the Irish Times.
The move has been opposed by local politicians concerned at the waste management facility’s environmental impact, but Managing Director of the firm John Ahern suggested it could be an ideal way of disposing of the area’s garbage.
“With Indaver up and running in the area, this problem can be resolved – safely, efficiently and at an affordable cost,” the newspaper reported him as saying.
Mr Ahern explained Cork was coming under increasing pressure to cut its reliance on landfills and suggested incineration may be the answer.
Local politicians suggested the site would lead to pollution of the harbour area – going against a drive to clean up local marine environments.