Your Questions Answered
What is an Environmental Impact Assessment/Statement?
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a procedure that identifies the potential impacts upon the environment involved in the undertaking of new developments and the subsequent changing of the natural environmental system.
Environmental Impact Assessments is the method used for predicting potential impacts on the environment as a result of development. The Environmental Impact Statement is the integral document formulated as a result of the EIA process. There are three definite elements in the EIA process – Screening, Scoping and EIS.
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What is an IPPC Licence?
An IPPC licence is a single integrated licence, granted and enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which covers all emissions and environmental management of specified industrial and agriculture activities which are identified in the first schedule of the Environmental Protection Agency Acts, 1992 to 2007.
The following categories of industry which fall within the scope of IPPC licensing include:
• Minerals and Other Materials.
• Energy.
• Metals.
• Mineral Fibres and Glass.
• Chemicals.
• Intensive Agriculture (poultry and pigs).
• Food and Drink.
• Wood, Paper, Textiles and Leather.
• Fossil Fuels.
• Cement.
• Waste (recovery or disposal in a facility connected or associated with an IPPC activity).
Other Activities (includes testing of engines, manufacture of printed circuit boards, production of lime in a kiln and manufacture of ceramic products).
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What is a Waste Licence?
A waste licence is an integrated licence regulating the emissions to all environmental media as a result of the environmental management of the facility.
All related waste activities involved in the overall operations of a facility are considered in the determination of a licence application. The EPA must be satisfied that the proposed or existing activity shall not result in environmental pollution or any detrimental effects upon the local environment when carried on in accordance with the licence conditions.
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What is an Environmental Management System (EMS)?
Environmental Management Systems are specific environmental, economically viable programs which are implemented by companies who are actively committed to reducing the adverse environmental impacts of their operations and that result in sustained benefits for all parties.
Environmental Management Systems (EMS) standards have been developed as methods to enable companies to better identify, manage and control their activities that can impact upon the environment.
Through a process of methodical examination of the aspects of a company’s specific operations, and by identifying the impacts of these aspects on the environment, the company can react in a pre-determined intended manner. Outlining clear goals and objectives with regard to environmental performance delivers a specific method allows the company to effectively reduce waste and energy use, substitution of non-renewable resources, risk avoidance and enhance the overall corporate image. This contributes to increased customer confidence, long term sustainability and competitive advantage.
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What Environmental legislation is important?
There is a vast amount of environmental legislation which can be found on the EPA website. However the main acts and regulations that our clients face include:
• EPA Act 1992 & 2003
• Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1997 and 1990
• Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2003
• Air Pollution Act 1987
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What is a Waste Collection Permit?
All waste collection operators (other than a local authority) must have a licence or permit to collect, transport and manage the waste that they collect. Local Authorities are responsible for granting waste collection permits for all waste collection areas. These permits lay down the terms under which private operators can collect and transport wastes. A person shall not collect waste for the purposes of reward with a view to profit or otherwise without a valid Waste Collection Permit.
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What is a Single Region Waste Collection Permit?
A single region Waste Collection Permit is a permit granted by a Nominated Authority for the purposes of collecting waste within that Nominated Authorities Region.
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What is a Multi Regional Waste Collection Permit?
In the case of a multi-regional waste collection permit the holder is permitted to transport and collect waste within the local authority area(s) permitted. This can include, if requested, all ten Nominated Authority areas which would essentially cover collection activities in the entire Republic of Ireland. Multi-Regional Waste Collection Permits are issued by the Nominated Authority in which the principal waste collection activities will take place i.e. the Region in which the greatest quantity(tonnages) of waste will be collected or the greatest number of premises will be served.
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How long does a Waste Collection Permit last for?
A Waste Collection Permit is granted for a period of five years. The permit will expire after the five year period if a review is not initiated within the five year period at least 60days before the expiry date.
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What is a Waste Facility/Management Permit?
Any individual, company or partnership involved in waste recovery activities require a Waste Facility Permit, which must be obtained from a nominated local authority. This is in accordance with the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration Regulations 2007 and Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2008. These activities include:
• The deposition of soil and stones to raise a site or improve agricultural benefit of the land/Land reclamation
• Recycling/Sorting Centres
• Car Dismantling Facilities
A Waste Facility/Management Permit is required for a site for the recovery or disposal of waste up to a maximum of 100,000tonnes. For sites with tonnages over 100,000tonnes, a Waste Licence will be required from the EPA.
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How long does a Waste Facility/Management Permit last for?
A Waste Facility/Management Permit is granted for a period of five years. The permit will expire after the five year period if a review is not initiated within the five year period at least 60days before the expiry date.
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