Ireland could create an additional 5,000 jobs over the next five years if it could double the amount of waste diverted from landfill, one recycling company has estimated.
According to the of recycling and waste management company AES, international reports and the firm’s own experience show that recycling processes generate far more jobs than landfill or incineration.
“Our estimate is that if we could double the amount of waste diverted from landfill it would create an additional 5,000 jobs over the next five years,” said AES infrastructure and development manager John Connolly.
AES says the best way to achieve this goal is to have a national waste strategy that allows waste disposal companies to build a range of new facilities to manage waste and empowers them to make the most of new technologies and new innovations in waste treatment as they arise.
The company says future waste strategy should recognise the huge potential that exists with new technologies and innovation to treat waste in a range of ways and to minimise the amount of waste that is diverted to landfill and incineration.
“A national waste policy that prioritises recycling will be good for the economy, good for consumers and good for the environment,” Connolly said.
AES, which is part of the Bord na Móna group, provides a domestic waste service to 60,000 homes and also provide waste-management services to 5,000 commercial businesses nationwide. It currently employs 350 staff at the locations where it operates.
Article courtesy of Businessandleadership.com
