EPA Ireland
We protect and improve the Irish environment. Visit our website at www.epa.ie
- The EPA is recruiting a Senior Inspector to lead the newly established Water Quantity Enforcement and Reporting Team to cover: Drinking water leakage assessment & enforcement, Water abstractions licence enforcement, and Drinking Water Regulatory reporting. bit.ly/EPAcareers
- The EPA has developed draft national by-product criteria for greenfield soil and stone. The draft criteria have now been approved by the Board of the Agency and are now notified to the European Commission for a mandatory 3 month consultation (standstill) period. Find out more at: bit.ly/45lpdtg
- This year the EPA is developing Ireland’s National Climate Change Risk Assessment (NCCRA) which will identify the risks climate change will pose across all sectors and help inform the development of much needed adaptation policy.
- The European Environment Agency newly published European Climate Risk Assessment shows that Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world with the frequency and severity of extreme heat and precipitation events increasing. Read more here: bit.ly/4a9IqRA
- The EPA hydrology bulletin for February is now available to download. It shows rainfall above the long-term average in most locations and river flows increasing in the south and west. Learn more: ow.ly/Pbja50QS9j5
- Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is a hazardous & fast-growing waste stream. In 2022, 66,018 tonnes of WEEE were collected for treatment in Ireland, a decrease of 8% from 2021. For more info and the latest data see: bit.ly/2UpMMCK
- The #ICCA report bit.ly/492AXTV published by the EPA last week highlighted the importance of restoring Wetlands, in order to achieve Ireland's climate goals. It is worth celebrating the benefits these habitats provide on World Wetlands Day. #WorldWetlandsDay #WWD2024
- Lithium-ion battery use and waste is increasing. The EPA has published Guidance on the Safe Storage of Lithium-Ion Batteries at Waste Handling Facilities (including Civic Amenity Sites and Retailers) to support safe management of these wastes. ow.ly/ifyl50QwoPH
- The monthly average river flows for December remained high, with 59% of river flows above the long-term normal for December. Read the EPA’s National Hydrology Bulletin here: bit.ly/3vMHLql
- The EPA today published Ireland’s first Climate Change Assessment Report. This is the first comprehensive and authoritative assessment of the state of knowledge of climate change in Ireland. bit.ly/492AXTV #IrelandsClimateChangeAssessment #IrelandsClimate #ICCA
- Congratulations to Tomás Markey of St Brogan’s College, Bandon, winner of the EPA Award BTYSE2024 for his project: ‘4-Stage Advancement Towards Direct Air Capture’.
- The EPA has published a request for tender to establish a multi-party Framework Agreement for technical support services to support the delivery of the work Programme for climate adaptation and climate services in the EPA. Find out more: bit.ly/3tWlaqT
- The EPA is currently recruiting for a number of exciting roles. More information and application forms available here: bit.ly/EPAcareers
- EPA's Climate Change in the Irish Mind study bit.ly/3ShotC8 shows Ireland's youth, especially young women, are concerned about climate change. At #BTYS2024 Ireland’s future scientists display the curiosity & determination needed to find solutions to the climate challenge
- The EPA is recruiting for a Digital Communications Specialist. More info: bit.ly/3NtU5C4
- Presentations from EPA's National Air Event are now available on out YouTube channel here bit.ly/3NDcFYy with presentations on new developments including air quality forecast (Life Emerald), AEROSOURCE (sources of particulate matter) research findings, Ireland's Clean Air Strategy & CAFE Recast.
- Reject the disposable, fast-fashion approach at this year’s Christmas parties! Re-style the clothes you already own or embrace second-hand or vintage clothing. Style trumps trends every time! #christmas #fashion
- Táimid ag lorg baill foirne nua! Tá go leor deiseanna againn ar foirne EPA éagsula ar fud na tíre! Táimid ag lorg daoine i mórán réimsí- ag obair in ár oifigí, saotharlainn agus amuigh faoin aer. Féach ar ár bhfolúntais go léir anseo: bit.ly/EPAcareers
- Is féidir le dó breoslaí soladacha a bheith mar cúis le árdú í leibhéil truaillithe aeir, go háirithe san aimsir fuar seo. Féach ar airquality.ie le haghaidh eolas ar módhanna glana chun do theach a théamh.
- As a last-minute reminder before 🎅 day, please help us spread the word: Ideally all present wrappings would be reusable but, if that's not possible, here's a guide for what to do with the wrappings after they've been ripped off presents!
- The EPA is recruiting for a Digital Communications Specialist. More info: bit.ly/3NtU5C4%E2%8...
- Looking to do something new and exciting in 2023? We have many job opportunities on EPA teams across the country! We’re looking for people across all kinds of fields (and rivers, labs and offices). See all our current vacancies here: bit.ly/EPAcareers
- Burning solid fuels, especially in this cold weather can increase air pollution levels. Remember: the fuels you choose to heat your home have an impact. See airquality.ie for info on heating your home in a cleaner way.
- The monthly average river flows for November remained high. The number of rain days ranged from 18 to 28 days and average river flows decreased at 59% of river monitoring stations compared to October 2023. Read the EPA’s Hydrology Bulletin here: ow.ly/FYbi50QhuUi
- Construction waste is the largest waste stream in Ireland. EPA has published new by-product criteria for site-won asphalt which allow road surfacing materials to be reused. These will support producers reduce waste generation. More info here: ow.ly/A9AC50QcQUt
- As the EPA’s Circular Economy and Waste Statistics Highlights Report 2021 shows, Ireland’s economy remains linear with increasing waste generation & stagnating recycling rates. We must accelerate our transition from a linear economy to a circular, more resource efficient economy.
- Ireland is heavily reliant on exporting waste for final treatment overseas. 38% of municipal waste was exported for treatment, including 382,000 tonnes of residual waste for incineration abroad. Of the 28% of plastic packaging that was recycled, just 7% was recycled in Ireland.
- In 2021, 69% of Irish households had an organic waste bin service. However, less than 25% of customers having a brown bin in some counties. Urgent rollout of organic waste bins to all household and business customers is needed to improve our municipal recycling rates.
- A recent EPA study showed that over two thirds of waste found in general waste bins could have been placed in the recycling or organic bin. There is a significant opportunity to improve recycling rates through awareness and enforcement of correct waste segregation practices.
- Packaging waste rose by 9% in 2021 to 1.2 million tonnes. Packaging waste has risen by 25% since 2016 whilst the recycling rate for packaging has risen by a third of that at just 8%. See the EPA’s Circular Economy and Waste Statistics Report 2021 here: ow.ly/uygt50QbCYU
- Construction waste is the largest waste stream generated in Ireland. In 2021 it grew by 10% to 9m tonnes. Of this, 85% was treated through backfilling, 8% was recycled and 7% went for disposal. ow.ly/uygt50QbCYU
- The EPA’s Circular Economy and Waste Statistics Report 2021 shows recycling levels in Ireland cannot keep pace with continuing high levels of waste generation & we're on course to miss upcoming EU recycling targets for municipal & packaging waste from 2025 ow.ly/uygt50QbCYU
- The EPA has today published the Circular Economy and Waste Statistics Highlights Report for the year 2021. The report shows that wate generation in Ireland has grown steadily across many sectors, including construction, municipal, household and packaging since 2012.
- Local authorities need to prioritise environmental protection to improve air and water quality and increase waste recycling. Read ‘Focus on Local Authority Environmental Enforcement – Performance Report 2021’ bit.ly/47vFnSn #EPAoee
- This #RadonDay check if yours is one of 170,000 homes or businesses in the country at risk from radon. Check your address on our Radon Risk Map here: bit.ly/3PHyx4k #radon #ireland
- EPA has launched a national air quality forecast. This new service will show expected Air Quality Index for Health along with levels of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone in the air. For more information see airquality.ie
- EPA has launched its new Licensing and Enforcement Access Portal (LEAP). This online service provides environmental enforcement information such as inspections, monitoring, incidents and non-compliances, to the public. For more visit bit.ly/3FKvYL3
- EPA is Hiring! We are currently seeking a Scientific Officer - Emergency Preparedness; General Inspector/Scientific Officer; Environmental Licensing Programme Senior Manager and Environmental Licensing Programme Senior Inspector: bit.ly/3MIvZjG #hiring #nowhiring
- EPA has prosecuted Uisce Éireann for failing to comply with the trihalomethanes (THM) limit in drinking water supplying Kilkenny City's (Radestown) Public Water Supply. THMs are disinfection by-products which can pose a risk to public health. More info here: bit.ly/45CKEGI #water #waterquality
- The EPA's latest National Priority Sites list features seven sites in total, four of which are from the Food & Drink Sector, two from the Waste Sector and one from the Surface Coating sector. See all listed sites and learn more here: bit.ly/3B9AxLw
- Last year just 45% of Ireland’s sewage was treated to EU standards set to protect the environment. Uisce Éireann still does not have clear plans to prevent pollution at some of Ireland’s most significantly impacted water bodies. EPA’s report ‘Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2022’ : bit.ly/3Se6PQu
- 85% of people in Ireland are worried about climate change, 37% are very worried. But, while most Irish people believe climate change will harm future generations, concern about personal impact is lower. ‘Climate Change in the Irish Mind’ survey results: bit.ly/40b7aoE
- September 2023 brought heatwaves, heavy rainfall and Storm Agnes. Monthly rainfall was above the long-term average for September in most places, wettest in the East and Southwest. Read our September Hydrology Bulletin: bit.ly/45h1uuw
- The monthly rainfall totals were above the long-term average for August in most of Ireland. It was wettest in the Northeast and Southwest of the country. Read our August Hydrology Bulletin covering rainfall, river flows, lake and groundwater levels here: bit.ly/3PeJkUi
- Here are some of the fruit and veg that are in season in Ireland this month. Buying fresh and buying local is better for the environment. Tá mórán caora, torthaí agus glasraí i séasúr i mí Mheán Fómhair Le bhur dtoil: Bígí ag siopadóireacht go háitiúil más feidir!
- Living or working in Galway? Help us find out what air pollution is like in the city! We are looking for 500 Galway City residents & businesses to measure levels of Nitrogen Dioxide. Exposure to it can have harmful effects on our health. More info: cleanairtogether.ie
- In 2021, approximately 54,800 tonnes of second-hand products were bought or exchanged in Ireland. The EPA has published its first official statistics around Reuse in Ireland for the year 2021. Read it here: bit.ly/3OWVwKe #reuse #reduce #climatechange
