Irish Government 'must act' to avoid waste fines

Ireland lacks the infrastructure to deal with its biodegradable waste and risks being fined �270 million a year by the European Union, a report has warned. The study, by environmental consultants Eunomia and Tobin Consulting Engineers for waste management firm Greenstar, claims the Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) of waste is the only "internationally proven technology" that can help Ireland meet its 2010 targets. MBT, a process strongly advocated by Minister for Environment John Gormley, allows for the organic content of waste to be broken down as much as possible and treated before the residue is sent to landfill. But the report, entitled Meeting Ireland's Waste Targets: The Role of MBT , said there was a lack of necessary policies, regulations and incentives to enable the process play a role in Ireland's waste management.