New Recycling Plant Transforms Poolbeg Incinerator Ash
A groundbreaking recycling facility in Co. Meath has revolutionized the management of ash from the Poolbeg incinerator, eliminating the need for international processing. The incinerator burns approximately 650,000 tonnes of waste annually, generating 120,000 tonnes of bottom ash, which was previously shipped to the Netherlands for processing.
This innovative plant, operated by Panda, is located at Knockharley in Navan. It commenced operations last May with an investment of 35 million euros. Brian McCabe, CEO of Panda, emphasizes its uniqueness in Ireland, offering an on-island solution for residue management.
The process begins with Panda trucks transporting waste to Poolbeg, where they collect the ash. This ash is then delivered to the Navan site for further processing. Waste metal is extracted, with the company anticipating the recovery of around 8,000 tonnes of metal annually from the 120,000 tonnes of ash processed.
The recovered metal will be exported, sold as a commodity, refined, and eventually recycled. After metal extraction, the remaining ash is stored at Knockharley with the goal of recycling it for use as an aggregate in the construction industry. The project team aims to secure Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval within a year, allowing the material to be utilized in cement and road construction.
Brian McCabe highlights the environmental benefits, noting that ash recycling is already practiced in the UK and Europe. The facility has been warmly received by Dublin Waste to Energy, the operators of the Poolbeg incinerator, who see it as a long-term, localized solution for bottom ash processing.
Project director, Kieran Mullins, praises the facility's significant contribution to the country's waste infrastructure. He highlights the environmental advantages, as the ash was previously used as an aggregate in the construction sector in the Netherlands. Mullins emphasizes the project's goal of achieving an on-island solution for bottom ash aggregate from the outset.
The new facility marks a breakthrough, according to Mullins, as it handles a substantial amount of ash. The incinerator processes approximately 600,000 tonnes of waste annually, with daily intake ranging from 2,500 to 1,800 tonnes, depending on the day of the week. This facility manages a significant portion of the country's waste, and the full recycling process is expected to be approved within another year.
