Episode 04

(Eco Eye s4/e4)

Household Hazardous Waste: There are so many everyday products that we use in our homes that contain a cocktail of chemicals and that in many ways are hazardous to our health and to the environment. These include cleaning, personal care, DIY, gardening and household goods. Some are poisonous, inflammable and explosive – like batteries, paints, thinners, oils, fluorescent tubes, pesticides and old medicines. Most of these were disposed of by being poured down the drain, put in our grey bins for landfill, or worse still being backyard-burnt causing dioxin emissions. Others were dumped illegally causing major damage to the environment, wildlife and drinking water. Many people are not aware of the damage being caused and how to dispose of these.

The programme shows recycling centres around the country, many of which now cater for the collection, sorting and safe disposal of these products. It also shows the need for this type of infrastructure to become more widespread. We take a look at Chemcar, a new hazardous waste mobile collection service – we see how effective it is and how they sort and prepare for recycling.

We frequently purchase these household products in our supermarkets, not realising the downstream consequences, and unaware that there are eco-friendly alternatives now available in places like the Ecoshop, in Wicklow.

Fruit and Vegetable Market in Youghal: There is a growing awareness in Irish communities of the need and opportunities for engaging in environmental actions and enterprises fostered by the EU’s Local Agenda 21. In this programme we visit Youghal, where through the initiative of the Cork Environmental Forum an exciting fruit and vegetable outdoor market has been re-established. This project is coordinated by Global Action Plan (GAP), who work closely with the people of Youghal. The town comes alive with this vibrant, socio-economic activity and farmers sell local and organically grown fresh farm products. This concept could be replicated in all towns and villages in Ireland.

Water Quality and the Waterframework Directive: The EU has introduced a new strategy to manage all of Europe’s rivers, lakes and estuaries. Ireland is divided into 8 river basin districts and the objective is to achieve a high standard of water quality throughout the country by 2015. The EPA, together with Local Authorities, are co-ordinating this through all the local stakeholders, like farmers, fishermen, tourist –related services and industry etc.

As an example, we visit the Eastern River Basin District and focus on the River Boyne from Lough Remor in Virginia County Cavan, it’s confluence with the Blackwater River at Navan and follow it’s course to Drogheda estuary and the sea. Along this journey we interview a dairy farmer, fisherman, angling shopkeeper, guesthouse proprietor and an American fishing tourist to hear their views and desire for high quality water. We also talk to experts from the EPA, Dublin City Council and the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, who form part of the management team for this river basin. We see how it is being monitored, we identify the environmental pressures (like urban sewage, septic tanks, farming and industry) and what strategies are being put in place to manage this.