Thursday 13 November 2008

Indaver plans greater volume of waste incineration

INDAVER is planning to significantly increase the amount of household waste it proposes to incinerate in the environs of Cork harbour, it has been revealed.

The disclosure comes as the company prepares to lodge a new planning application to build a municipal incinerator in Ringaskiddy, with a capacity to burn 140,000 tonnes a year.

Indaver managing director John Ahern said the company originally envisaged processing 100,000 tonnes a year. “We have increased that projected figure because there has been an increase in the population in Cork and an increase in the volume of waste.”

He claimed the need for the incinerator was greater than ever, especially as Ireland, along with Britain and Greece, was not meeting its obligation to divert waste from landfill.

“We have assumed the Cork area will achieve 50% recycling rates by 2015 but, even at that, we will still need to incinerate 140,000 tonnes per annum. Otherwise, Ireland will not meet its environmental obligations and will be faced with massive fines from the EU.”

Indaver’s planning permission for an industrial and hazardous waste incinerator is about to expire. The company will submit a new application for the hazardous waste incinerator next month, in tandem with one for household waste.

Indaver wants to build them at the same time as part of a €150m project.

“We will keep the industrial and hazardous waste incineration at 100,000 tonnes per year. We will give a cast-iron guarantee we will not import such waste. Hazardous waste will only come from this island.”

Indaver, meanwhile, believes the amount of hazardous waste generated in the country is enough to fill its planned capacity. It insists household waste incinerated at Ringaskiddy will come primarily from Cork city and county.

Mr Ahern said 300 jobs would be created during construction of the incinerators and a further 60 when completed. The company wanted to sit down and talk to objectors led by CHASE (Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment).

Irish Examiner

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