Almost 30,000 tonnes of hazardous waste, including asbestos, solvents, healthcare chemicals and other "dangerous substances" go unaccounted for each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Ireland exports almost half of its hazardous waste the EPA said, and the high cost of this exportation is likely to be leading to large quantities going unreported or being illegally managed.
The EPA's draft Hazardous Waste Management Plan, published yesterday, recommends that Ireland become more self-sufficient in the management of its waste and states: "If Ireland were to become fully self-sufficient, hazardous waste landfill and incineration would be required."
The report notes that permission has been granted for a hazardous waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, (although this is currently the subject of High Court challenges) but said there is no equivalent proposal for a hazardous waste landfill.
The EPA plan recommends that "at least one hazardous landfill be developed in Ireland" and states that if local authorities or the private sector fail to put forward proposals for such a landfill on foot of the plan, the Government should consider banning the exportation of landfill-bound hazardous waste.
Last year 48 per cent of hazardous waste was exported. In the management plan the agency notes that EU law directs member states to move towards self-sufficiency in the management of hazardous waste.
The treatment of hazardous waste in Ireland, has significant environmental and economic benefits over exportation, the EPA said. Solvents are the largest single hazardous waste element generated in Ireland and if 100,000 tonnes of solvent waste were processed in Ireland instead of exported it would reduce transport-based greenhouse gas emissions by 88 per cent and contribute towards Ireland's climate change strategy. The development of an indigenous hazardous waste-treatment industry would also be economically beneficial in terms of investment in infrastructure and employment.
The elimination of the phenomenon of unreported hazardous waste is a "particular priority" to be addressed by the management plan, the EPA states. Last year an estimated 29,888 tonnes of such waste went unreported, that is it could not be accounted for in the legitimate waste management industry.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that "substantial quantities of asbestos waste are still managed illegally", the agency states. Other than contaminated soil, asbestos is the single largest dangerous waste stream that requires landfill disposal.
The State's only hazardous waste landfill, the KTK site in Kilcullen, Co Kildare, is due to close in 2009 and there are no proposals to replace it the EPA notes.
The cost of exporting asbestos waste is "prohibitive" the agency states. "This is in all likelihood driving asbestos into the unreported or illegal waste sectors." Providing landfill for asbestos should be "actively promoted and pursued by public authorities".
The Government should consider banning the export of hazardous waste that requires landfill as an "additional incentive" to local authorities or the private sector to develop a landfill.
The plan is open to public consultation until January 31st, 2008.
A spokesman for Minister for the Environment John Gormley said the Minister has no involvement in compiling the hazardous waste management plan. The EPA emphasis on waste reduction was something Mr Gormley would support. But the spokesman said the size of the Irish market meant there was "probably always" going to be a requirement for the export of hazardous waste.
