EPA National Water Event 2018 – Pathways to Progress

The Environmental Protection Agency  is organising the National Water Event 2018 titled “Pathways to Progress” on Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st June 2018 in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway. This event is a key forum for Local Authorities, Regulators and Water Professionals to learn about current changes in Ireland’s water policy and practices. Talks will...

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Soil Waste Classification & Waste Acceptance Criteria

Soil waste classification and waste acceptance criteria are key cost element which need to be factored into most construction projects. Do you know how you ensure that soil and stone waste should be recovered or disposed off in accordance with regulatory requirements and to mitigate against potential future liability? Recovery and disposal of soil and...

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Guide to packaging Hazardous Waste

The packaging of hazardous waste myst be undertaken correctly to protect employees, local residents, passersby and the environment from harm.  It is also a legal requirement.  The three crucial elements of successful hazardous waste management are Containers Labelling Final packaging There are various containers available for storing different types of hazardous waste, and it’s essential to...

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State faces bill excess of €150 million for unmet Climate Targets

Missing climate change and renewable energy targets will cost the State well in excess of €150m as emissions continue to rise. The Government has admitted it will miss 2020 emission reduction and renewable energy targets, and has undertaken “informal discussions” with EU neighbours with a view to minimising the cost of compliance, the Dáil Committee...

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New EPA Phone App: See it? Say it!

Many citizens and communities already get involved in taking care of the environment they live, work and play in.  The See It? Say It! phone application, developed by the EPA, helps to collect and direct your environmental concern to the correct local authority so that they can take action and address it. What can you report when...

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SEAI report shows residential energy use on the rise

Ireland’s residential energy use and carbon emissions are rising again. That is according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), who published its detailed analysis, Energy in the Residential Sector.  Between 2014 and 2016, CO2 emissions from the sector increased by almost 7%, having fallen by almost a quarter between 2005 and 2014. SEAI indicates that...

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Industrial Emissions Directive: Explained

The Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU (IED) is aimed at reducing emissions from industrial production processes using an integrated approach to management environmental emissions and impact. In the past the Environmental Protection Agency in Ireland has issued Waste Licences and IPPC Licences for activities which are listed in the Third and Fourth Schedules to the Waste Management...

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Anaerobic Digestion: The conversion of feedstock into biogas and digestate

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is the conversion of feedstock (any organic non-woody material) by micro-organisms in the absence of oxygen into biogas and digestate. Manure and other possible biomass feedstocks are inserted into a large, sealed airless container. In this oxygen free environment, bacteria will produce biogas. In most digesters the contents will be heated to accelerate the...

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EU’s €31bn carbon market finally picks up steam

Europe’s €31bn a year carbon market is finally starting to work the way it was intended, reining in pollution with a minimum of squealing from industry. Thirteen years after it was created to limit carbon-dioxide emissions, prices for the allowances are rising. EU policymakers have enacted measures expected to keep the cost of pollution on an upward trajectory...

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Ireland’s emissions going in the wrong direction

The EPA has published figures for emissions of five key air pollutants. These pollutants impact air quality in Ireland and further afield, causing respiratory problems, pollution of soil and surface water, and damage to vegetation.  This latest information from the EPA shows that Ireland exceeded its emission limits for ammonia for the first time in 2016 and...

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