organic waste management in apartments

68 Pages·2008·0.93 MB·English

ERTDI No71:SEA ERTDI No18 Reprint 05/03/2008 08:40 Page 1
ERTDI Report Series No. 71
Online Version Only
Environmental Research Technological Development and Innovation (ERTDI)
Programme 2000-2006
ORGANIC WASTE MANAGEMENT
The Environmental Research Technological Development and Innovation IN APARTMENTS
Programme was allocated €32 million by the Irish Government under the
National Development Plan 2000-2006. This funding is being invested in the
following research areas:
Final Report
❚ Environmentally Sustainable Resource Management
❚ Sustainable Development
❚ Cleaner Production
❚ National Environmental Research Centre of Excellence
The Environmental Protection Agency is implementing this programme on
behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Research Technological Development
Regional Inspectorate, McCumiskey House, Richview, Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 14, Ireland
and Innovation (ERTDI) Programme 2000-2006
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Website: www.epa.ie
Printed on recycled paper
ERTDI No71:SEA ERTDI No18 Reprint 05/03/2008 08:40 Page 2
Environmental Protection Agency An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is REGULATING IRELAND’S GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS Is í an Gníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú RIALÚ ASTUITHE GÁIS CEAPTHA TEASA NA HÉIREANN
a statutory body responsible for protecting (cid:2) Quantifying Ireland’s emissions of greenhouse gases Comhshaoil (EPA) comhlachta reachtúil a (cid:2) Cainníochtú astuithe gáis ceaptha teasa na hÉireann
the environment in Ireland. We regulate and in the context of our Kyoto commitments. chosnaíonn an comhshaol do mhuintir na tíre i gcomhthéacs ár dtiomantas Kyoto.
police activities that might otherwise cause (cid:2) Implementing the Emissions Trading Directive, go léir. Rialaímid agus déanaimid maoirsiú ar (cid:2) Cur i bhfeidhm na Treorach um Thrádáil Astuithe, a
pollution. We ensure there is solid involving over 100 companies who are major ghníomhaíochtaí a d'fhéadfadh truailliú a bhfuil baint aige le hos cionn 100 cuideachta atá
generators of carbon dioxide in Ireland. chruthú murach sin. Cinntímid go bhfuil eolas ina mór-ghineadóirí dé-ocsaíd charbóin in Éirinn.
information on environmental trends so that
cruinn ann ar threochtaí comhshaoil ionas
necessary actions are taken. Our priorities are
go nglactar aon chéim is gá. Is iad na
protecting the Irish environment and ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT príomh-nithe a bhfuilimid gníomhach leo TAIGHDE AGUS FORBAIRT COMHSHAOIL
(cid:2) Taighde ar shaincheisteanna comhshaoil a chomhordú
ensuring that development is sustainable. (cid:2) Co-ordinating research on environmental issues ná comhshaol na hÉireann a chosaint agus
(cosúil le caighdéan aeir agus uisce, athrú aeráide,
(including air and water quality, climate change, cinntiú go bhfuil forbairt inbhuanaithe.
The EPA is an independent public body bithéagsúlacht, teicneolaíochtaí comhshaoil).
biodiversity, environmental technologies).
established in July 1993 under the Is comhlacht poiblí neamhspleách í an
Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil
Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992. MEASÚNÚ STRAITÉISEACH COMHSHAOIL
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
(EPA) a bunaíodh i mí Iúil 1993 faoin
Its sponsor in Government is the Department (cid:2) Ag déanamh measúnú ar thionchar phleananna agus
(cid:2) Assessing the impact of plans and programmes on Acht fán nGníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú
of the Environment, Heritage and Local chláracha ar chomhshaol na hÉireann (cosúil le
the Irish environment (such as waste management Comhshaoil 1992. Ó thaobh an Rialtais, is í
Government. and development plans). an Roinn Comhshaoil agus Rialtais Áitiúil a pleananna bainistíochta dramhaíola agus forbartha).
dhéanann urraíocht uirthi.
PLEANÁIL, OIDEACHAS AGUS TREOIR CHOMHSHAOIL
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, EDUCATION AND
GUIDANCE (cid:2) Treoir a thabhairt don phobal agus do thionscal ar
ÁR bhFREAGRACHTAÍ
cheisteanna comhshaoil éagsúla (m.sh., iarratais ar
LICENSING (cid:2) Providing guidance to the public and to industry on
cheadúnais, seachaint dramhaíola agus rialacháin
various environmental topics (including licence
We license the following to ensure that their emissions CEADÚNÚ chomhshaoil).
applications, waste prevention and environmental
do not endanger human health or harm the environment: regulations). Bíonn ceadúnais á n-eisiúint againn i gcomhair na nithe (cid:2) Eolas níos fearr ar an gcomhshaol a scaipeadh (trí
(cid:2) waste facilities (e.g., landfills, (cid:2) Generating greater environmental awareness seo a leanas chun a chinntiú nach mbíonn astuithe uathu cláracha teilifíse comhshaoil agus pacáistí
ag cur sláinte an phobail ná an comhshaol i mbaol: acmhainne do bhunscoileanna agus do
incinerators, waste transfer stations); (through environmental television programmes and
(cid:2) large scale industrial activities primary and secondary schools’ resource packs). (cid:2) áiseanna dramhaíola (m.sh., líonadh talún, mheánscoileanna).
loisceoirí, stáisiúin aistrithe dramhaíola);
(e.g., pharmaceutical manufacturing,
cement manufacturing, power plants); (cid:2) gníomhaíochtaí tionsclaíocha ar scála mór (m.sh., BAINISTÍOCHT DRAMHAÍOLA FHORGHNÍOMHACH
PROACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
(cid:2) intensive agriculture; déantúsaíocht cógaisíochta, déantúsaíocht (cid:2) Cur chun cinn seachaint agus laghdú dramhaíola trí
(cid:2) Promoting waste prevention and minimisation stroighne, stáisiúin chumhachta);
(cid:2) the contained use and controlled release chomhordú An Chláir Náisiúnta um Chosc
of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs); projects through the co-ordination of the National (cid:2) diantalmhaíocht; Dramhaíola, lena n-áirítear cur i bhfeidhm na
Waste Prevention Programme, including input into
(cid:2) large petrol storage facilities. the implementation of Producer Responsibility (cid:2) úsáid faoi shrian agus scaoileadh smachtaithe dTionscnamh Freagrachta Táirgeoirí.
Initiatives. Orgánach Géinathraithe (GMO); (cid:2) Cur i bhfeidhm Rialachán ar nós na treoracha maidir
(cid:2) mór-áiseanna stórais peitreail. le Trealamh Leictreach agus Leictreonach Caite agus
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT (cid:2) Enforcing Regulations such as Waste Electrical and
le Srianadh Substaintí Guaiseacha agus substaintí a
(cid:2) Conducting over 2,000 audits and inspections of Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of dhéanann ídiú ar an gcrios ózóin.
Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and substances that FEIDHMIÚ COMHSHAOIL NÁISIÚNTA
(cid:2) EOPvAer slieceeinnsge dlo fcaacli laituitehso erivteierys ’ yeenavr.ir onmental deplete the ozone layer. (cid:2) Stiúradh os cionn 2,000 iniúchadh agus cigireacht (cid:2) PGlheuaani sNeáaicshiú an tfah oBrabianiirstt ícohcuhnt ad ruamm hDaríalm ghhauíaliseach a
(cid:2) Developing a National Hazardous Waste Management de áiseanna a fuair ceadúnas ón nGníomhaireacht
protection responsibilities in the areas of - air, sheachaint agus a bhainistiú.
Plan to prevent and manage hazardous waste. gach bliain.
noise, waste, waste-water and water quality.
(cid:2) Working with local authorities and the Gardaí to (cid:2) Maoirsiú freagrachtaí cosanta comhshaoil údarás
STRUCHTÚR NA GNÍOMHAIREACHTA
stamp out illegal waste activity by co-ordinating a MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE OF THE EPA áitiúla thar sé earnáil - aer, fuaim, dramhaíl,
national enforcement network, targeting offenders, dramhuisce agus caighdeán uisce. Bunaíodh an Ghníomhaireacht i 1993 chun comhshaol
The organisation is managed by a full time Board,
conducting investigations and overseeing (cid:2) Obair le húdaráis áitiúla agus leis na Gardaí chun na hÉireann a chosaint. Tá an eagraíocht á bhainistiú
consisting of a Director General and four Directors.
remediation. stop a chur le gníomhaíocht mhídhleathach ag Bord lánaimseartha, ar a bhfuil Príomhstiúrthóir
(cid:2) Prosecuting those who flout environmental law and dramhaíola trí comhordú a dhéanamh ar líonra agus ceithre Stiúrthóir.
The work of the EPA is carried out across four offices:
damage the environment as a result of their actions. forfheidhmithe náisiúnta, díriú isteach ar chiontóirí, Tá obair na Gníomhaireachta ar siúl trí ceithre Oifig:
(cid:2) Office of Climate, Licensing and Resource Use stiúradh fiosrúcháin agus maoirsiú leigheas na
(cid:2) An Oifig Aeráide, Ceadúnaithe agus Úsáide
MONITORING, ANALYSING AND REPORTING ON THE (cid:2) Office of Environmental Enforcement bhfadhbanna. Acmhainní
ENVIRONMENT (cid:2) Office of Environmental Assessment (cid:2) An dlí a chur orthu siúd a bhriseann dlí comhshaoil (cid:2) An Oifig um Fhorfheidhmiúchán Comhshaoil
agus a dhéanann dochar don chomhshaol mar
(cid:2) Monitoring air quality and the quality of rivers, (cid:2) Office of Communications and Corporate Services thoradh ar a ngníomhaíochtaí. (cid:2) An Oifig um Measúnacht Comhshaoil
lakes, tidal waters and ground waters; measuring (cid:2) An Oifig Cumarsáide agus Seirbhísí Corparáide
water levels and river flows. The EPA is assisted by an Advisory Committee of twelve MONATÓIREACHT, ANAILÍS AGUS TUAIRISCIÚ AR
(cid:2) Independent reporting to inform decision making by members who meet several times a year to discuss AN GCOMHSHAOL Tá Coiste Comhairleach ag an nGníomhaireacht le
issues of concern and offer advice to the Board.
national and local government. (cid:2) Monatóireacht ar chaighdeán aeir agus caighdeáin cabhrú léi. Tá dáréag ball air agus tagann siad le chéile
aibhneacha, locha, uiscí taoide agus uiscí talaimh; cúpla uair in aghaidh na bliana le plé a dhéanamh ar
leibhéil agus sruth aibhneacha a thomhas. cheisteanna ar ábhar imní iad agus le comhairle a
(cid:2) Tuairisciú neamhspleách chun cabhrú le rialtais thabhairt don Bhord.
náisiúnta agus áitiúla cinntí a dhéanamh.
Environmental RTDI Programme 2000–2006
Organic Waste Management in Apartments
(2005-WRM-DS-23-M1)
Final Report
Prepared for the Environmental Protection Agency
by
RPS
Authors:
Carmel Carey, Warren Phelan and Conall Boland
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil
PO Box 3000, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, Ireland
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.epa.ie
© Environmental Protection Agency 2008
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This report has been prepared as part of the Environmental Research Technological Development and Innovation
(ERTDI) Programme under the Productive Sector Operational Programme 2000–2006. The programme is financed
by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000–2006. It is administered on behalf of the
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government by the Environmental Protection Agency which
has the statutory function of co-ordinating and promoting environmental research. The ERTDI programme 2000–
2006 has been replaced by the Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for the Environment (STRIVE)
programme 2007–2013. The STRIVE programme is funded by the Irish Government under the National
Development Plan 2007–2013.
The authors wish to acknowledge the support of the Environmental Protection Agency in the development of this
report. The authors in particular wish to thank Dr Brian Donlon of the EPA for his support and assistance. Sincere
thanks are also due to the other member of the project Steering Committee, Mr John O Neill, Environment
Inspectorate, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The authors also wish to thank all
those people who provided information and advice during the course of their research, especially all those directly
and indirectly involved in the waste management industry, including local authorities, public and private waste
collectors, apartment property management, and employees, architects, property developers and builders and, not
forgetting, apartment residents.
DISCLAIMER
Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this publication, complete
accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the author(s) accept any
responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a
consequence of any person acting, or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this publication.
All or part of this publication may be reproduced without further permission, provided the source is acknowledged.
WASTE
The Waste Section of the Environmental RTDI Programme addresses the need for research in Ireland to inform
policymakers and other stakeholders on a range of questions in this area. The reports in this series are intended as
contributions to the necessary debate on waste and the environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL RTDI PROGRAMME 2000–2006
Published by the Environmental Protection Agency
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
ISBN: 1-84095-241-5
Price: x15 01/08/300
ii
Details of Project Partners
Carmel Carey Warren Phelan
RPS Consulting Engineers RPS Consulting Engineers
West Pier Business Campus West Pier Business Campus
Dun Laoghaire Dun Laoghaire
Co. Dublin Co. Dublin
Ireland Ireland
Tel.: [phone] Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Conall Boland
RPS Consulting Engineers
West Pier Business Campus
Dun Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
Ireland
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
iii

Table of Contents
Acknowledgements ii
Disclaimer ii
Details of Project Partners iii
Executive Summary ix
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Study Details 1
1.2 Study Objectives 1
1.3 Background to Study 1
2 Organic Waste Composition and Targets 3
2.1 Nature of Organic Waste 3
2.2 Organic Waste Treatment in Ireland 3
2.2.1 Biological treatment 3
2.2.2 Landfill 4
3 Organic Waste Management Policies and Targets 5
3.1 EU Waste Management Hierarchy 5
3.1.1 EU Landfill Directive 5
3.1.2 EU thematic strategies 5
3.2 Irish Waste Management Policy and Targets 6
3.2.1 Pay by weight 7
3.2.2 Regional Waste Management Plans 7
4 Organic Waste Generation from Multi-Storey Dwellings in Ireland 8
4.1 Household Waste Generation 8
4.1.1 Introduction 8
4.1.2 Current situation in Ireland 8
4.2 Composition of Mixed Household Waste 9
v
4.3 Multi-Storey Dwellings in Ireland 10
4.3.1 Recent trends in the housing sector 10
4.3.2 Apartments in Ireland 11
4.3.3 Household size 12
4.4 Organic Waste Generation from Apartments 12
4.5 Projected Growth 13
4.5.1 Future household waste arisings 13
4.5.2 Trends for the construction sector and in population settlement 13
4.6 Summary Table of Key Statistics 14
5 Apartments in Ireland 15
5.1 Introduction 15
5.2 Classification of Apartments 15
5.3 Characteristics of Apartments in Ireland 15
5.3.1 Purpose-built apartments 15
5.3.2 Converted buildings 18
5.3.3 Apartments above commercial premises 19
6 Stakeholder Consultation 21
6.1 Introduction 21
6.2 Survey of Apartment Residents 21
6.2.1 Findings from the survey 21
6.3 Waste Collectors: Private and Public 23
6.3.1 Purpose-built apartments 23
6.3.2 Converted apartments 24
6.3.3 Commercial apartments 24
6.4 Property Management Agent 24
6.5 Apartment Builder and Developer 25
6.6 Architects 25
7 Irish and International Organic Waste Collection Schemes 27
7.1 Irish Schemes 27
vi
7.1.1 Galway City Council organic waste collection 27
7.1.2 Waterford Organic Collections 31
7.2 International Schemes 33
7.2.1 Schemes’ set-up 33
7.2.2 Collection systems 33
7.2.3 Container types 34
7.2.4 Container location 34
7.2.5 Collection frequency 35
7.2.6 Participation rates 35
7.2.7 Consultation 36
7.2.8 Health and safety issues 36
7.2.9 Social aspects, communication and awareness raising 36
7.2.10 Incentive schemes 37
7.3 Study Tour to the Netherlands and Flanders 38
7.3.1 Rijswijk, The Hague, the Netherlands 38
7.3.2 Boom, Flanders 39
8 Conclusions 40
8.1 Introduction 40
8.2 Organic Waste Generation from Apartments 40
8.3 Issues Associated with Different Types of Apartments 40
8.4 International Study Tour and Literature Review 40
8.5 International Study Tour 41
8.6 Stakeholder Consultation 41
8.7 Main Findings 41
9 Recommendations 43
9.1 Assessing Suitability of Apartments 43
9.1.1 Suitability assessment for existing apartments 43
9.2 Guidance for Implementation of Organic Waste Collection Schemes 43
9.2.1 Awareness/Education/Promotion 43
9.2.2 Organic waste bin/bag type 45
vii
9.2.3 Waste storage areas 45
9.2.4 Access 46
9.2.5 Health and safety 46
9.2.6 Collection frequency 46
9.2.7 Other considerations 46
9.3 Planning Authorities 46
9.4 Developers/Architects 47
9.5 National Funding Bodies and Decision-Making Authorities 47
9.6 Management Companies 47
9.7 Residents 47
Bibliography 50
Acronyms 52
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