Farm Hazardous Waste Collections 2013-2014

Ms Jane BroganClimate, Research & Resource Use Programme

Environmental Protection Agency

Presented by Dr J Derham, EPA

Environmental Services Training Group

LOCAL AUTHORITY ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE

Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, May 2015.

EPA Teagasc PCD, DAFM Rilta Environmental Ltd WEEE Ireland ERP 15 County Councils –

Kilkenny, Offaly, Dublin, Cavan, Donegal, Mayo, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Wexford, Galway, Carlow, Sligo, Meath, Tipperary

Collaborative Approach

Objectives Research and quantity the demand for a national farm

hazardous waste collection scheme Assess the type and quantity of farm hazardous waste

stockpiled Derive national estimates for the type and quantity of

farm hazardous waste currently on Irish farms Identify type and quantity of de-registered pesticides Facilitate removal of hazardous waste from farms Provide collaborative platform for inter-agency co-

operation and pooling of resources Work together to deliver affordable and suitable

national scheme

Farm Hazardous Waste Bring Centres

16Bring Centres

2768Farmers

356tWaste Collected

Average weight of waste (kg) and no. of farmers

Farm Hazardous Wastes Collected

WEEE and batteries

Farm Survey Information (2014)

National Hazardous Waste Management PlanCollections represent the largest ever voluntary bulk removal of highly toxic pollutants out of the Irish environment in such a short timeframe

National Waste Prevention Programme EuroStat Regulations Stockholm Convention on POPs Producer Responsibility Initiatives and Targets Water Framework Directive Pesticide Legislation Health and safety on farms Single Farm Payment and Cross-compliance

Smart Farming Resource Efficiency Initiative Food Harvest 2020 Bord Bia Quality Assurance Schemes

Relevance to National Policy Objectives

Substantial quantities of hazardous waste on farms

Identified the absence of a suitable and affordable national scheme

Overwhelming support from the farming community

Issue not so much a willingness to pay problem but one of access and convenience

Added value and benefits of inter-agency collaboration and cooperation

DECLG continue to work with agricultural industry, and IFFPG to formulate a mechanism that will establish a permanent scheme for the collection of farm hazardous waste by 2016

Collaborate with agri-merchants for some of the centres in 2015

Derive national estimates for the quantity of farm hazardous waste

Work closely with farming organisations and Bord Bia

Conclusion & Next steps

Thank-you

Report will be available at www.epa.ie

and/or contact j.brogan@epa.ie