National Waste Prevention Programme (NWPP)

Waste Prevention is to be preferred to any waste management option - do not generate the waste. By not generating waste, we can eliminate the need to handle, transport, treat and dispose of waste. We can also avoid having to pay for these services.

The Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government launched the National Waste Prevention Programme (NWPP) in April 2004.  It is being led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The Minister also set up the National Waste Prevention Committee (NWPC) which includes a broad stakeholder group who meet periodically to provide strategic direction for the EPA in implementing the National Waste Prevention Programme.  View NWPP annual reports.

The aim is to deliver substantive results on waste prevention and minimisation and integrate a range of initiatives addressing awareness-raising, technical and financial assistance, training and incentive mechanisms. EPA NWPP will consider applications for funding from suitable organisations that wish to engage in waste prevention or re-use.  Intending applicants should contact the EPA in advance of submitting any written materials. Programmes already developed under the NWPP include:-

BeGreen

BeGreen is a marketing programme that brings together all of the guidance and advice developed under the NWPP resource efficiency programme. View the BeGreen guides and programmes.

Local Authority Prevention Network (LAPN)

The Local Authority Prevention Network aims to develop capacity in prevention in all local authorities to assist commercial and community initiatives.

Green Business Initiative

The Green Business Initiative is aimed primarily at the business community in Ireland, with an emphasis on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).  It provides tools and methodologies to help organisations to make financial savings by looking at their resource use, and also to help the environment.

Green Hospitality Award

The Green Hospitality Award is a programme that has already generated in excess of €3 million in saving for 190 participating hotels, by providing an EMS based award scheme, c benchmarking tools and audits.  Over 80 hotels have gained awards.  Details can be found at www.ghaward.ie.

Stop Food Waste

Stopping food waste starts at the point at which you buy your groceries. It continues in your home where you store and cook what you have bought. The EPA's Stop Food Waste programme provides advice and tips on how to reduce food waste in the home by better buying, savvy storage and canny cooking and then on how to compost any food waste that cannot be prevented. Download some guides to stopping food waste.

Green Home Programme

The Green Schools programme involves 66% of all Irish schools of which 1,150 have been awarded the coveted Green Flag.  A pilot initiative called Green Home is now being funded by the National Waste Prevention Programme to build on this success and spread prevention to houses and communities.

Prevention and managing hazardous waste is an important priority for all NWPP projects.  A range of specific projects are underway in relation to implementation of the revised National Hazardous Waste Management Plan.

Packaging Waste Prevention Programme

The Packaging Waste Prevention Programme aims to assist Irish businesses with positive and practical ways to reduce packaging and to promote those achievements to a wider audience.

Learn more

Download some of the guides and booklets from the National Waste Prevention Programme.

Read the National Waste Prevention Programme Annual Reports

Download the presentations from ResourceWise - the National Waste Prevention Programme conference held in Dublin on 1 June 2011.

Try the following useful links:

Generation Awake - the European Commission's Resource Efficiency Campaign

Video broadcast  of Gerry Byrne's talk from EPA State of the Environment Workshop in Dublin.  
Regional Waste Management Plans 
Cleaner Greener Production Programme
Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP)
Sustainable Energy
freetradeireland.ie 
UK's Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme on water saving and water quality improving technologies
Water Conservation
Freecycle.org
JumbleTown - recycling unwanted items
Zero Waste Alliance - Ireland
Zero Waste (New Zealand)
WRAP - The Food we Waste 
Northern Ireland's Rethink Waste Campaign 
Rx3.ie