Private companies to invest heavily in waste management

Private sector environmental services are preparing to invest over E1 billion in developing the proper structure needed to deal with Ireland's waste problem.

Tony O'Brien, a consultant with Grant Thornton, has calculated that the level of private sector investment could be as high as E1.3 billion. It is thought that local authorities are likely to contract out most of the services to waste management companies.
Firms bidding to provide these services are likely to include the NTR-owned Greenstar, Thorntons, and Limerick-based Mr Binman.

Services which will be needed include bottle banks, civic amenity centres and green waste facilities where householders will bring waste for sorting, recycling and other treatment.
It is calculated that landfill will need E146 million for regions with completed plans. The biggest investment will be needed for waste-to-energy facilities. These are largely made up of incinerators and will account for E400 million of the running total of E700 million.

Biological treatment for waste water, sewage and other waste is the next biggest item while other areas needing significant spending will be recycling-related.