Irish EPA works to develop markets for recycled materials The Irish Environmental Protection Agency is soon to publish a report entitled A Strategy for Developing Recycling Markets in Ireland prepared by the Clean Technology Centre, Cork Institute of Technology. The report was prepared as part of the Environmental Research, Technological Development and Innovation (ERTDI) Programme under the Productive Sector Operational Programme 2000-2006. Available data indicates that the quantity of recyclable waste generated in Ireland is increasing. It is also evident that the rate of waste recycling is lower than international norms and national targets. However, improved recycling rates are possible and Ireland should now take steps to improve recycling rates by tackling one of the principal barriers to recycling: the lack of outlets for recycled materials. In order to overcome this and other barriers, a strategic approach is proposed whereby all the required elements for a major increase in the recycling of waste can be put in place and the forces and drivers to achieve this increase can be managed effectively and pro-actively. The strategic approach will require the participation of a variety of key stakeholder groups and their actions must be co-ordinated to ensure that national targets are achieved. The Environmental Protection Agency will, with the support of the Clean Technology Centre, provide updates on the progress towards improving Ireland's recycling performance. Outputs from the project include: A Strategy for Developing Recycling Markets in Ireland - Synthesis Report (to be published in the near future) A Strategy for Developing Recycling Markets in Ireland - Final Report (to be published in the near future) A series of ten fact sheets containing detailed information on each of the following waste streams: glass; 268 KB http://www.epa.ie/r_d/Products/Glass.pdf textiles; 241 KB http://www.epa.ie/r_d/Products/Textiles.pdf ferrous metals; 251 KB http://www.epa.ie/r_d/Products/Ferrous%20Metals.pdf paper; 266 KB http://www.epa.ie/r_d/Products/Paper.pdf cardboard; 253 KB http://www.epa.ie/r_d/Products/Cardboard.pdf plastics; 280 KB http://www.epa.ie/r_d/Products/Plastics.pdf non-ferrous metals (other than aluminium); 225 KB http://www.epa.ie/r_d/Products/Non-Ferrous%20Metals.pdf aluminium; 254 KB http://www.epa.ie/r_d/Products/Aluminium.pdf wood; 226 KB http://www.epa.ie/r_d/Products/Wood.pdf composites (used beverage cartons). 223 KB http://www.epa.ie/r_d/Products/Composites%20(ubc%27s).pdf The overall report is not available yet, but the above reports are