Ireland 'should decrease its dependency' on landfill

Unless it decreases its reliance on landfill sites, Ireland risks being fined repeatedly by the European Union (EU), it has been claimed.

According to the editor of Science Spin magazine Sean Duke, who was writing for the Times, other measures, such as incineration, should be considered before sending increasing amounts of waste to landfill sites.

"It is getting progressively more difficult for Ireland to increase its rate of recycling," he stated.

Mr Duke also highlighted that the EU's recycling target for member states currently stands at 50 per cent by 2020.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has pointed out that Ireland needs to meet EU standards when it comes to the management of waste.

In related news, the BBC reported that methane generated by a landfill site in Belfast could be converted into enough electricity to power around 6,000 homes.