Hazardous Waste Management
The Environmental Protection Agency is required to propose a National Hazardous Waste Management Plan, having regard to:
- The prevention and minimisation of hazardous waste
- The recovery of hazardous waste
- The collection and movement of hazardous waste
- The disposal of such hazardous waste as cannot be prevented or recovered
The Environmental Protection Agency published the first National Hazardous Waste Management Plan in 2001, and the first review of the plan is currently underway. The first two elements of the current review process are well progressed:
- Preparation of a Strategy Study to assist in the review of the plan
- A Strategic Environmental Assessment to consider the potential environmental impacts of the plan
A total of 21 submissions have been received in the initial consultation period, to be considered during the review.
A second consultation period will be carried out following publication of the Draft Second Plan (likely to be mid-2007). Interested parties will be asked to provide feedback on the draft plan and the Environmental Report.
Strategy Study
The Strategy Study involves a review of existing policy on hazardous waste and an assessment of potential policy and technology options for the management of hazardous waste, taking into account best practice, in Ireland and internationally.
It will provide all the information and technical analysis necessary to assist the EPA in preparing the Draft Second Plan.
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a new statutory process for evaluating the environmental effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment.
It will integrate environmental considerations with the preparation and adoption of the second plan. This involves the preparation of an Environmental Report as well as carrying out public consultations.
Consultation
A key element of the Strategy Study is consultation with stakeholders and the public on hazardous waste policy and technology.
The first consultation period took place from 28 February to 3 April, 2006, feeding into the preparation of the Strategy Study and the Draft Second Plan. All submissions are publicly available. A Context Report was produced for this consultation period.
The second consultation will seek submissions on the Draft Second Plan and the Environmental Report. This will be widely advertised in mid 2007.
Learn more
Download the first National Hazardous Waste Management Plan
Download the Context Report for the first consultation on the review of the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan
Download the Annual Report of the Implementation Committee for the first National Hazardous Waste Management Plan
Learn about the EU/Life HAZRED Project, which aims to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to prevent and reduce their production of hazardous wastes, and save them money in the process
Find out more about SEA - Strategic Environmental Assessment