Talks aimed at averting a waste-collection crisis that could lead to rubbish building up on the streets of Dublin by the end of the month took place today, with further discussions expected next week.
The situation has come about as a result of a 50 per cent cut in commercial waste being allowed into Fingal County Council’s dump in Baleally, implemented at the start of the month.
The council says that at previous levels Ballealy would reach capacity in six months and that a planned extension to the dump - subject to approval from the Environmental Protection Agency - will not be ready until late 2002 or early 2003.
Dublin Chamber of Commerce today expressed concern that "a potentially serious situation" could arise in which food waste could begin to build up outside pubs, restaurants and hotels if carriers were unable to use Ballealy.
"We need a central body in the medium term directly responsible for waste management but in the short term the minister [of the Environment] must step in and guarantee waste collection," a Chamber of Commerce spokesman said.
Talks between the council, the Department of the Enivironment and IBEC, whose affiliate, the Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) represents independent waste carriers, took place today with the IWMA calling for flexibilty in the implementation of the quota system.
Mr Donal Buckley of the IWMA told ireland.comthat the organisation and individual waste carriers had launched a campaign encouraging their customers to cut down on waste.
He said they were also pursuing other ways of disposing of collected waste, saying he felt quotas could be met but that more time may be needed to make the necessary arrangements.
Mr PJ Howell, director of services at Fingal County Coucil, said that commercial waste carriers should prioritise the collection of food waste, which makes up around 35 per cent of their quota and should pursue other avenues for the disposal of other forms of waste.
Mr Howell also confirmed that waste carriers who had used up their quota before the end of the month would be turned away from the dump.