Cré Market Report Shows Worrying Trends
Today, Cré is publishing its Market Report for the year 2014. There are concerning trends in relation to the downward trend of waste being presented for processing. The volumes of brown bin material has decreased by 16%, sewage sludge by 33%. The only waste stream that has shown any significant growth is organic fines (138% increase).
Percy Foster Chief Executive of Cré stated “Cré members expressed deep concerns about the decrease of brown bin material being processed in plants in Ireland. This decrease has occurred despite Ireland implementing national regulations for the source separation of commercial food waste in 2010 and households food waste in 2013, which are designed to encourage the recycling of food waste. This trend of decreasing brown bin volumes processed in Ireland needs to be urgently addressed by Minister Kelly”
From a peak of twelve plants, there are now just seven plants left that are processing brown bin material. Several plants have moved away from brown bin processing, and now are processing organic fines due to the lack of volumes of brown bin material. Indeed, The view within the industry is that the processing of organic fines is a temporary solution until the new indigenous incineration capacity increases in late 2017.
The processing of sewage sludge through composting continues to decrease and this trend is unlikely to change, as land spreading remains the relatively cheaper option, although of higher environmental risk, compared to regulated composting sites.
ENDS
You can download the report here- Cre_Market Report_For Year 2014