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Project title

Organic Waste Management in Multi-Storey Dwellings and the Use of In-Sink Macerators

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

RPS Consulting Engineers Limited

Lead Applicant

Warren Phelan

Project Abstract

This 10-month desk study was carried out by RPS as partof the ERTDI Programme 2000i-2006 to address theissue of organic waste management at apartments inIreland.Organic waste (i.e. food and garden waste) constitutesthe single largest component (~36%) of household waste.Irish waste management policy requires sourceseparation of organic household waste to divert thismaterial away from landfill to higher treatment options.The preferred sustainable option is to biologically treatorganic waste and produce a valuable reusable endproduct i.e. compost.Governmental awareness-raising campaigns andincreased participation in new source-separate wastecollection schemes have seen a move away from thetraditional method of disposal to landfill to recycling andrecovery. In 2005 the pay-by-use system was introducednationwide to encourage source segregation and to allowthe waste management system to be equitable. Separatekerbside collection of mixed dry recyclables is nowoperating in all local authorities in Ireland although thelevel of coverage varies in each county.For organic waste four local authorities (Galway City andCounty and Waterford City and County Councils) haveorganic waste collection schemes established in the pastfew years for both single and multi-storey dwellings andtwo Dublin local authorities (Fingal County Council andDublin City Council) have recently commenced pilotschemes. For the most part the organic waste collectionschemes in Ireland serve single-dwelling houses with avery small number of apartment complexes included.

Grant Approved

�49,981.50

Research Hub

Green and Circular Economy

Research Theme

Waste and Resources Management

Start Date

n/a

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a