environmental impact statement kilmainhamwood compost facility ...

5361- Kilmainhamwood Compost Facility Extension- EIS
3 ALTERNATIVES
Schedule 6 of the Planning and Development Regulation (2001) specify that the EIS should include ‘An
outline of the main alternatives studied by the developer and an indication of the main reasons for his or
her choice, taking account the effects on the environment’.
The EPA publication, Guidelines on the information to be contained in Environmental Impact
Statements, states ‘The consideration of alternatives also needs to be set within the parameters of the
availability of land (it may be the only suitable land available to the developer) or the need for the
project to accommodate demands or opportunities which are site specific. Such considerations should
be on the basis of alternatives within the site, e.g. design, layout’.
3.1 ALTERNATIVE PROCESSES
Ireland’s approach to dealing with waste is based on the internationally adopted waste management
hierarchy, which states that the most preferred option for waste management is prevention and
minimisation, followed by re-use and recycling, energy recovery and the least favoured option which is
disposal.
The National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste was published in April 2006 and sets out measures to
progressively divert biodegradable municipal waste from landfill in accordance with the agreed targets
in EU Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste
The National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste (2006) is based on the integrated waste management
approach established as Government policy since the publication of ‘Changing Our Ways’ in 1998. The
options, in order of preference, for dealing with Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) are:
For inspection purposes only.
Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
• Prevention and minimisation – avoiding generating the waste;
• Recycling – mainly of paper and cardboard but also of textiles;
• Source separated collection followed by biological treatment – mainly of kitchen and garden
waste;
• Residual treatment – thermal treatment with energy recovery or by way of Mechanical Biological
Treatment (MBT);
The Strategy sets specific objectives for the contributions that each of these measures will contribute to
the achievement of the 2016 target for diversion of BMW from landfill.
It is clear that source separated collection followed by biological treatment is the preferred option for the
treatment of organic waste (including kitchen and garden waste). In the absence of source separated
collection of organic waste, residual treatment would be required to manage organic waste generated in
Ireland.
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EPA Export 01-06-2010:03:55:52