Previously published in Council Review (Ireland), January 2008

Whilst Ireland continues to make significant progress across a whole range of waste management indicators including municipal waste recycling, packaging waste recycling, WEEE etc, the waste market is still far from mature and there continue to be significant challenges that lie ahead.

There are a number of legislative and policy initiatives which will continue to shape the sector in 2008 and beyond and some fundamental decisions will also have to be made on the direction of the industry going forward; these include the Minister’s intended international waste policy review; the decision on whether to appoint a waste regulator; the forthcoming Waste Framework Directive; the first EU Landfill Directive target for diversion of waste from landfill; recent planning and licence approvals; the role of the private and public sectors in the waste market.

Many of these issues were debated and discussed at the recent 5th National Waste Summit in Croke Park. However the fact that the waste debate has moved onto issues such as these is an indication of just how far Ireland has come as a country in the last decade.

As the leading waste management consultancy in Ireland, RPS is proud to have played a significant role in the development of waste management in this country through the development on behalf of some 24 local authorities of Regional Waste Management Plans that have set out the blueprint for waste management in this country based on best international practice. In addition to the Waste Plans, RPS has prepared key strategic documents on behalf of Government and State Agencies including the 2nd National Hazardous Waste Plan Review, the National Biodegradable Waste Strategy Study, the Market Development Programme and the Forfas International Benchmarking Study.

Whilst RPS has long been associated with strategy formulation, they continue to have a strong track record in the development of waste infrastructure for both the public and private sectors including recycling centres, biological treatment plants, materials recovery facilities and landfills. Development of these facilities is carried out through various procurement mechanisms including traditional design and construction but also through PPP mechanisms. One such PPP contract includes the development of the proposed Waste to Energy Facility in Dublin where RPS is acting as Clients Representative for the four Dublin Local Authorities led by Dublin City Council.

RPS constantly brings innovation and a value engineering approach to their projects. However the issue of sustainability is also becoming increasingly important and RPS brings a wide range of skills and expertise to this area ranging from sustainability in design, energy efficiency, renewable energy assessment and carbon footprinting through to sustainable drainage and transport assessments. Not just responding to but often leading the demands of an ever-evolving and changing market ensures that RPS is always at the forefront and can provide clients with ‘best in class’ consultancy services.

For more information please contact:
RPS Dublin (West Pier) – Planning & Development
T: +353 (0) 1288 4499