Environment « Thurles Information

Mulched Wood Chippings Littering Thurles

The image above is what met the view of residents, residing on Kickham Street, Thurles this morning.

For as far as the eye can view, in both directions, the roadway is littered with mulched wood chippings.

Motorists are being asked to take care, especially when braking.

The environmental section of Tipperary Co. Council have been informed.

Sea Eagles Released At Lough Derg, North Tipp.

White-tailed sea eagles, 4 in number, were released back into the wild at Lough Derg Co. Tipperary, on Sunday last, by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The release is part of a project to increase the sea eagle breeding population here the Irish republic.

A further two birds are expected to be released in the same area later this month, while four will be released further down close to the Shannon estuary.

The young eagles, collected from nests in the wild, were flown in from Norway last June with 6 held in purpose-built flight cages at Lough Derg.

White-tailed Sea Eagles are our largest birds of prey and one of the most impressive birds to observe in action in the wild. This release is seen as critical in helping support the existing population.

The first breeding pair took place on Lough Derg on the Co Clare side in 2012. Since then some thirty-one chicks have been fledged from a small breeding population of possibly 10 pairs, since their initial introduction; with one female bred at a nest on Lough Derg, now herself having produced chicks of her own, thus marking the birth of the first Irish-bred, white-tailed sea eagle.

This release of the birds comes under the Irish White-Tailed Sea Eagle Reintroduction Programme, which is a long-term initiative to re-establish once again the species here in the Republic of Ireland.

EPA – Ireland’s Packaging Recycling Rates Declining

Ireland’s packaging recycling rates going in wrong direction says Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Recycling rates for packaging are declining – from 74% in 2012 to 64% in 2018 – coinciding with a greater amount incinerated for energy recovery
Packaging now accounts for one-third of household waste with paper and cardboard, followed by plastic the most common type of packaging waste.
In relation to plastic packaging, Ireland recycled only a third of plastic packaging in 2018, which has decreased for the third year in a row.
Less recycling leads to missed opportunities in relation to the efficient use of waste materials and fostering a circular economy in Ireland.
We must reduce the amount of packaging used in the first place; improve separation of waste by Irish households and businesses; and broaden the scope of what can be recycled, by expanding Ireland’s recycling list.

31st July 2020: The EPA has today published its latest figures on waste packaging in Ireland. They indicate that Ireland continues to generate significant amounts of waste packaging, amounting to just over 1 million tonnes in 2018, remaining unchanged since 2017. Packaging includes paper and cardboard, plastic, glass, wood and metal.

While Ireland met current EU requirements and achieved high recycling rates in some packaging material streams, in particular glass, paper and cardboard, there are some worrying trends. Overall, recycling rates are on a downward trend with 64% of packaging recycled in 2018 compared with 74% in 2012. This has coincided with an increase in the quantity of packaging sent for incineration with energy recovery in recent years. In relation to plastic packaging, Ireland’s recycling rate has dropped for the third year in a row to 31%.

Dr Eimear Cotter, (Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Sustainability), stated, “To get the most from our resources in this area, we need to reduce packaging and reverse our falling recycling rates. Households and businesses can drive this change by avoiding over-packaged goods which sends a strong signal back to producers to innovate for reduced packaging and reusable alternatives. We must also maximise recycling of the remaining materials, and waste collectors have a critical role here in ensuring their customers segregate correctly and use the appropriate bin. To support this, Ireland’s recycling list should, as a matter of urgency, be reviewed to expand the variety of waste types that can be recycled.”

Maximising the prevention, reuse and recycling of packaging materials is an important element of developing a circular economy in Ireland which aims to reduce waste throughout the economic cycle, and ensures that materials are used efficiently. Developing a circular economy is also strong and effective climate action.

Commenting on the figures, Dr Tara Higgins, (EPA Senior Scientist) stated. “Each tonne of packaging releases greenhouse gases during extraction of raw materials, manufacture, transport and waste management process. The quantity of packaging waste generated needs to be reduced to bring about environmental and climate benefits. The Government’s forthcoming Waste and Circular Economy Action Plan provides an opportunity to set out concrete actions that will address the worrying trends highlighted in these figures and help Ireland meet challenging new EU targets in the coming years.”

EPA Welcomes New Septic Tank Grant Scheme

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) welcomes new septic tank grant scheme, as over 50% of systems fail inspection.

**Polluted state of the River Suir, in Thurles Town Centre, Co. Tipperary, which Thurles Municipal District Councillors have tolerated for years and continue to do so.**

There are an estimated half a million septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems in the Republic of Ireland.
Half of the 1,160 septic tank systems inspected in 2019 failed.
Householders with private wells are particularly vulnerable to pollution from faulty septic tanks.
27% of systems that failed inspections during 2013-2019 are still not fixed.
The Government’s expanded septic tank grant scheme will now help more householders fix faulty systems.

The Environmental Protection Agency today reported on 1,160 Local Authority inspections of septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems in 2019. The EPA found that more than half of the systems failed inspection. A lack of maintenance and desludging was identified as a key issue. The Local Authorities identified more serious issues with nearly 300 systems, where they were found to be a risk to human health or the environment.

The EPA also reported that the grant scheme for septic tanks has recently been expanded to cover specific areas where work is being focused to improve water quality under the national River Basin Management Plan. This means that more people will qualify for a grant.

Commenting on the report, Dr. Tom Ryan (Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement) stated; “If you do not maintain your septic tank, it can contaminate your own or your neighbour’s well, putting your health at risk and that of your family and neighbours. It may also pollute your local stream or river. You can take simple steps to maintain your septic tank by cleaning it out regularly and by making sure it is not leaking, ponding or discharging to ditches. The Government’s expanded septic tank grant scheme broadens the availability of grants and increases the maximum grant available which is welcomed.”

The EPA also found that 27% of systems that failed inspections during 2013-2019 are still not fixed and Local Authorities need to take action to make sure householders fix systems that fail.

Mr Noel Byrne (EPA Senior Inspector) stated; “It is important that householders fix systems where problems are detected and be aware that they can pose a serious health risk. While there has been an improvement in the number of systems fixed, there are still many systems where faults are not addressed over a number of years. This requires increased engagement and enforcement by Local Authorities to address remaining failures”.

‘Little Egret’ Visits Thurles Town Centre, Co. Tipperary

This, still considered rare, ‘Little Egret’ flew into Thurles Town centre at dusk yesterday evening, no doubt to “take the waters”, as so often advised in simpler, ancient times. Its intention, no doubt, was to embark on a physical healing, cleansing and rejuvenation venture. God help us, having viewed the River Suir area, it did not stay for very long.

An exotic cousin of the native Grey Heron, Little Egrats are to be found mostly on the Mediterranean and along the coasts of north Africa. I had spotted its nervous presence amongst us, just two years ago, living in more solitary confinement, residing in the Drish River area, east of the town, but this evening it decided to head for those dizzy bright lights of Barry’s Bridge, in our town’s centre.

**A ‘Little Egret’ visits River Suir in Thurles town centre.**
*Pictures: G. Willoughby*

Nevertheless, this white, little aquatic Heron-like stranger, with the yellow feet, slender black beak, blue-grey lores, (the lore is the region between the eye and bill on the side of a bird’s head) and streaming plumes, began to visit Ireland for the first time only half a century ago. Back in the 1970’s the species began coming in small numbers and later began staying for long periods.

As courtship approaches, the adults of both sexes grow two slender plumes (nape-feathers) from the nape area of their neck, and more from their throat. They build twiggy nests of sticks, often alongside those of the Irish Grey Herons, before laying and hatching families of between 3 to 5, incubated by both parents.

These streaming head plumes are not simply for physical attraction, but appear to also get used where hostile social display is required. When excited; Little Egrets get noisy, making gulping sounds especially when defending a favourite feeding site, where little fish, crustaceans, molluscs, insects, worms and frogs are plentiful.

Once scarce in the Irish midlands, the Little Egret was considered rare in Ireland, until it was first discovered breeding here around 1997. The species has since expanded its territory to many coastal counties, and has become more visible at a number of wet inland sites, including in Co. Tipperary.