What about the proximity principle?                                
What is the proximity principle?

National policy endorses the proximity principle – that is, waste should be treated as close as possible to where it is generated.

Why Ringaskiddy?

The oft-stated reason for selecting Ringaskiddy is that Co. Cork generates 60% (115,000 tonnes) of Ireland’s hazardous waste.

While this is true, the amount generated is NOT the same as the amount available for disposal. The proposed incinerator is intended only for: "hazardous waste that is currently exported for incineration".

Facts and figures

• Two-thirds of the hazardous waste generated in Co. Cork is dealt with by inhouse incinerators. The other one-third is exported.
• Of the waste exported, approx. 83% is sent for recovery and about 17% for disposal.
• So only about 6,500 tonnes of the hazardous waste generated in the county will be available to the proposed incinerator.
• Nationally, about 48,000 tonnes of hazardous waste is exported for disposal per annum.

In this context, the proximity principle would surely exclude a site on a cul-de-sac, at the end of a peninsula, at the extreme southern end of the country