Incineration is recommended for wastes such as chemicals and pharmaceuticals, paints, asbestos and herbicide, and runs parallel to a plan to reduce the creation of hazardous waste.

The National Hazardous Waste Management Plan, which noted that almost half of the country’s hazardous waste was exported in 2006, aims to make Ireland self-sufficient when it comes to disposing of the hazardous materials.

Director general of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Mary Kelly, told the Irish Times: “Ireland must find new ways to become self sufficient in dealing with our hazardous waste.

“Whilst there has been some improvement in Ireland’s infrastructure, there is still a deficit and this plan recommends alternative methods for the reduction, collection and management of this waste within Ireland.”

The plan, which the EPA will take the lead on implementing, makes 29 recommendations to reduce the amount of hazardous waste, ensure its proper collection, increase Irish self-sufficiency, and deal with contamination from hazardous materials in the past.

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