Mid-west incinerator still possible despite local concerns

Despite the apprehensions expressed by a number of organisations over the development of a E115 million incinerator for the mid-west region, the facility looks likely to go ahead.

This comes after the review of the Regional Waste Management 2006-2011 on Wednesday, June 14th.
Part of the plan involves the prospect of developing an incinerator in the region. It is expected that the incinerator will be treating waste from Limerick, Kerry and Clare. Material will be recycled while some of it will be landfilled.
Clare County Council’s Environmental Special Policy Committee has said that there is a contradiction in the draft regional waste management plan. They say it is planning an incinerator while also developing the principles in dealing with waste: reduce, reuse and recycle.

“For thermal treatment large volumes of waste are required to sustain the facilities, yet the main thrust is to reduce waste. This contradiction needs to be addressed,” he said.
The Ennis Chamber of Commerce pointed out that the provision should be regarded as waste management. Chief executive Rita McInerney said that there were advantages attached to thermal treatment but that it should only be used as a last resort. She said that efforts should still be made to promote recycling and re-using