Ireland has achieved or is on track to meeting all EU waste targets except for biodegradable waste, according to the country's environment agency. Biodegradable waste going to landfill fell by 19% last year but Ireland is still over target. The national waste report, covering 2008 data, shows the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill dropped to about 1.2 million tonnes. Under EU law biodegradable waste must be reduced by 75% of the quantity produced in 1995. The EPA calls for urgent action to divert large quantities of food waste from landfill including putting in place services for the separate collection of organic waste at households and commercial premises.

The report also shows municipal waste generation in Ireland fell by 5%. There was also a 24% decrease in the amount of construction and demolition waste. The decline is primarily due to the economic downturn. Packaging waste recovery was up by 1%, exceeding the EU's 60% target for 2011. The country collected 9 kilograms of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) per inhabitant. The UK remains the prime destination for waste exported for recovery.

For more details see EPA press release at http://www.epa.ie/news/pr/2009/name,27454,en.html