Planning is the process of thinking about the activities required to achieve a desired goal. Waste Management Planning is the process of setting out the activities and actions required to manage waste generated in an environmentally responsible way and to achieve the targets agreed for reuse, prevention, recycling, and treatment. The establishment of a plan allows taking stock of the existing situation, defining the objectives that need to be met, formulating appropriate strategies, and identifying the necessary implementation means.
The making of a waste management plan is an obligation of EU Member States, as required by Article 28 of the Waste Framework Directive, and Member States can ask regional or local authorities to make regional or local plans. There are three existing Regional Waste Management Plans, Southern, Eastern/Midlands, and Connacht Ulster.
Waste Management Plans must be evaluated every six years and revised as appropriate. Relevant stakeholders, authorities and the general public must have an opportunity to participate in this process.
The three Regional Waste Management Planning Lead Authorities are now proceeding with the preparation of a replacement combined National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy.
In advance of the preparation of the Draft National Waste Management Plan submissions are invited from all interested parties. Submissions will be considered in the completion of the final plan.
the policy
The Government published the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy in September 2020. This new national waste policy provides direction for waste planning and management over the coming years. The previous national waste policy A Resource Opportunity focused on the delivery of national and EU targets while the new policy acknowledges the need to embed climate action in all strands of public policy.
The new policy document contains over 200 measures across various waste areas including the circular economy, municipal waste, consumer protection / citizen engagement, plastics and packaging, construction and demolition, textiles, green public procurement and waste enforcement.
The National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy must translate policy measures into meaningful actions.
the process
Following the pre-draft consultation period submissions will be considered in the making of the draft plan. The draft plan will subsequently be published together with a Strategic Environmental Assessment and an Appropriate Assessment. Following the publication of the draft plan submissions will again be invited which will be considered in the making of the final plan.
