Dearn McClintock, Waste Regulations Officer with Donegal County Council
The month of July will see the introduction of the ‘Brown Bin’ for household food waste in ten more towns throughout Donegal. In essence this comes about as another part of the Waste Management (Household Food Waste) Regulations 2012 comes into effect. This requires all householders in Ballyshannon, Ballybofey-Stranorlar, Buncrana, Bunbeg-Derrybeg, Bundoran, Carndonagh, Donegal Town and Lifford to separate their food waste and make it available for conversion into compost. This means separating the food waste and placing it into a ‘Brown Bin’, provided by your waste collector. The system has been up and running in Letterkenny since this time last year. Waste Regulations Officer, Dearn McClintock, explains that the purpose of the regulations is to divert food waste, which is biodegradable, away from landfill, where it causes odour and nuisance, to facilities which are authorised to treat it and turn it into a high quality compost. “All EU states are obliged to comply with the EU Waste Framework Directive, which amongst other things provides for the removal of biodegradable wastes from landfills. “This is to protect the environment now and in the future from the consequences of the decomposition of wastes such as food that results in highly polluting leachates and greenhouse gases such as methane.
Brown Bins have been introduced to 11 more towns in Donegal
“By removing food waste from landfills the production of these pollutants is considerably reduced, which in turn reduces the cost of running the landfills now and for next 40 years. This does not just benefit us today but will be a worthwhile legacy for our children in the future,” he said He also explained the householder will be required to keep their food waste out of the ‘residual’ bin and present it for collection by their waste collector. Many will ask what goes into this bin and where does it go? “All food waste including meats and dairy products go into this new bin. The householders’ waste collector will advise them what can and cannot go into the food waste bin. The food waste will be composted and the final product will be used for soil conditioning either on gardens or back on farmlands,” said Dearn. He added that all the householder should have to do is contact their waste collector and ask for a food waste bin. For householders on fixed rate charges there should be no increased cost. For Pay as You Throw customers they will have to find out from their waste collector what is available. There are new regulations due regarding household waste charges, which should lead to the householder being rewarded for their efforts in separating out the waste fractions in their homes. These regulations should be in place by mid-2016, he added.
What should I put in my brown bin?
Key Facts
- Anyone with queries on the introduction of the service should contact either their own waste collector or the Council on (074) 91 53900.
- Information is also provided on www.donegalcoco.ie.
- From July 2016 the regulations will apply to a further 19 towns and villages.
- It is a condition of the Waste Collectors Permits to provide this service (Brown Bin) and for appropriate treatment/processing. The Council has been engaging with the collectors to ensure their compliance.
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