Waste licensing and permitting

In 1996 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began licensing certain activities in the waste sector. These include landfills, transfer stations, hazardous waste disposal and other significant waste disposal and recovery activities.

Objectives

A waste licence is a single integrated licence dealing with emissions to all environmental media and the environmental management of the facility.

All related waste operations connected to the activity are considered in determining a licence application. You must satisfy the EPA that the activity will not cause environmental pollution when carried on in accordance with the licence conditions.

Detailed procedures on processing waste licence applications are set out in the Waste Management Act 1996 as amended and associated regulations.

Public participation

The waste management licensing system in Ireland is open and transparent. The public has access to the application documentation on the Agency's website www.epa.ie for any application received since December 2004.  For applications received by the Agency before December 2004, hardcopy format applications are available for inspection by appointment.

Members of the public may make written submissions or objections to the EPA about waste licence applications. Submissions and objections may also be made on-line.  Submissions are available for public inspection on the Agency's website and are considered by the EPA in deciding on the application.

Everyone who makes a submission is notified of the EPA's proposed decision on the application. Subsequently, anyone may make an objection, accompanied by the appropiate fee, to a proposed decision by the EPA on an application, within 28 days of notification of the proposed decision.

Learn more

Find out more about

• The waste licensing process
• Who needs a waste licence
• Licence Application Form Access Instructions
• Waste legislation
• Making a written submission
• Making an objection 
• Public access to Licensing Files
• Search for waste licensing files 
• REACH Draft Guidance Document on Waste and Recovered Substances
• 2011-2012 Review of Waste Licences for Compliance with Environmental Objectives Regulations

Contact us

For further information, contact our Environmental Licensing Programme at:

Office of Environmental Sustainability,
PO Box 3000
Johnstown Castle Estate
County Wexford
Telephone Locall 1890 33 55 99 or 053 91 60600
Email Licensing@epa.ie