DUNDALK IN THE MIX FOR WASTE THERMAL TREATMENT PLANT

November 1999

A Draft Waste Management Plan for the north-east region reveals Dundalk is being mentioned as a possible location for a thermal treatment plant.

Also, the implementation of the plan could cost householders between £200 and £300 annually.

A report before a meeting of public representatives recommends a plan costing £258 million to cater for disposal of non-hazardous and agricultural waste in counties Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan.

Consultants explain it is a Government requirement to cut dependence on landfill as a means of rubbish disposal.

Members of Louth County Council, Dundalk Urban Council and Drogheda Corporation express concern about the cost to householders, and voice fears over possible health risks from a thermal treatment plant.

A presentation is made by M.C. O’Sullivan Consultants, whose PJ Rudden says a thermal treatment plant is required as part of the Draft Waste Management Plan but he does not know in which of the four counties it would be located.

Dundalk, Navan, Kingscourt and Carrickmacross are mentioned, but the plant would go to public tender and could end up being in one of the towns or somewhere else.

There are two types of thermal treatment - incineration and gasification. Incineration is around the longest, but gasification ‘ looks more promising’.

In summary, the recommendations of the draft plan are: employment of an agricultural waste officer, provision of 10 recycling stations (Dundalk, Drogheda, Navan, Kells, Trim, Dunshaughlin, Monaghan, Carrickmacross, Cavan and Ballyjamesduff ), door-to-door collection of segregated dry recyclables in all urban areas with more than 500 households, a biological treatment plant (suggested location between Nobber and Carrickmacross), 2 ‘green’ waste composting plants (Dundalk and Kells).

There is a 2014 target for waste disposal to be 43% recycling, 38.9% thermal treatment and 18.1% landfill.

Of most concern to public representatives is the cost to people and the effect of a thermal treatment plant on health and the environment.

Mr Rudden says the cost depends on a number of factors, not least the type of thermal treatment plant selected.

There could be as much as 100% in the difference, but he gives a rough estimate of between £200 and £300.

He adds other countries with higher environmental regulations than Ireland have been burning waste for the last twenty-to-thirty years, and those plants are giving no problem.

‘If they were, they would be closed down.’

Mr Rudden sees the thermal treatment plant as a joint venture between the four counties and private enterprise, the latter running it. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would be responsible for monitoring standards and emissions.

He points out the consultation process with communities would be steering clear of public meetings which, in his experience, turn into rallies.

The draft plan is subject to a period of public consultation before the adoption of a Regional Waste Management Plan by the elected members.

2004.... Ann and Brian Hopper with Sassy Daly, Blackrock and David Buchanan, Red Barns Road ,Mia Donaghey, Bay Estate with Declan and Geraldine Conlon, Blackrock at The Miss Emily and Miss Gertrude inaugural ball in aid of Saint Mary’s Drumcar held in The Fairways Hotel.