The days of “dig it up and dump it” are over.

With the launch of Ireland’s Circular Economy Strategy and the National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy (2024–2030), local authorities are now expected to treat construction materials as valuable resources, not disposable by-products.

Nowhere is this shift more visible than in road construction—and particularly in the handling of blacktop planings.

Ireland is on a journey towards a circular economy, and the National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy 2024–2030 plays a crucial role in shaping this transformation. A major aspect of this plan is the implementation of robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track progress towards construction and demolition (C&D) waste reduction and recycling targets, ensuring transparency and accountability.

County councils across Ireland are tasked with executing these measures within their jurisdictions, working closely with national and EU regulatory bodies. These efforts are essential in driving Ireland’s construction waste management practices forward and aligning them with the highest environmental standards.

The "Supporting the Circular Economy Transition in the Irish Construction Sector" report by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) highlights the growing role of digital tools in waste tracking. Section 3.2: Digital Innovations in Waste Tracking (Page 28) emphasises how advanced technologies can revolutionise the way construction and demolition (C&D) waste is managed, ensuring compliance with Ireland’s 2030 circular economy targets.

As Ireland moves towards stricter waste management regulations, the integration of digital solutions is no longer optional—it is an essential strategy for tracking, optimising, and reporting waste in real time. Digital innovations enhance efficiency, reduce landfill dependency, and help construction firms meet regulatory obligations while cutting costs.

Ireland’s public sector construction projects are evolving, with sustainability and environmental compliance becoming major factors in awarding contracts. With strict waste reduction targets set for 2030, construction firms collaborating with government agencies need to ensure their waste management practices align with national and EU directives.

For companies aiming to secure more public sector work, staying ahead of regulatory requirements and demonstrating a commitment to sustainable waste management is no longer optional—it’s a competitive advantage.

In its guidance, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) reinforces a message that every local authority and roads engineer should take seriously:

Road planings must be tracked through their entire lifecycle.

As Ireland accelerates its shift toward a circular economy, public bodies are being held accountable not just for how roads are built—but for how materials are recovered, reused, and reported.

This isn’t just best practice. It’s becoming compliance.

Fluctuating Waste Figures Raise Red Flags

The Numbers Don’t Add Up 

2012: Ireland generated approximately 9 million tonnes of C&D waste.

2021: The country reported 9 million tonnes of C&D waste again.
2022: This number dropped to 8.3 million tonnes, with soil and stones making up 85% of this waste.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has identified a critical issue within the EU’s construction and demolition waste (C&DW) management. Despite boasting high recovery rates, a significant portion of this waste is subjected to low-grade recovery operations like backfilling. To tackle this challenge and enhance the quality of recycling and reuse, the EEA is championing the adoption of circular economy practices across the construction sector.

In April 2024, the European Parliament adopted Directive (EU) 2024/1203, widely referred to as the Environmental Crime Directive. Effective as of May 20, 2024, this groundbreaking legislation significantly bolsters the European Union's approach to environmental protection through criminal law. By expanding the list of offenses, introducing harsher penalties, and emphasizing accountability at all organizational levels, the directive underscores the importance of sustainable practices across industries—with the construction sector being no exception.

When it comes to milled asphalt—better known on site as blacktop—there’s a legal distinction that every local authority in Ireland needs to understand:

Is it a by-product, or is it waste?

The answer determines whether you need a waste permit, how you handle it, and whether you're exposing your council to compliance risk.

Transporting treated organic sludge cake (biosolids) is a critical process for wastewater treatment plants, waste management companies, and agricultural contractors. Whether the sludge is destined for agricultural land, composting, or landfill alternatives, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant transport is paramount.

Here’s an overview of the transport requirements for treated sludge cake, the challenges involved, and how Hub360 simplifies the process.

Developers and contractors have a vital role in managing construction and demolition (C&D) waste, and they must adhere to several specific legal obligations to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Here’s an overview of their key responsibilities:

In 2024, the Irish government introduced new regulations known as the Circular Economy (Waste Recovery Levy) Regulations. These rules are set to significantly impact how construction and demolition (C&D) waste is handled and could bring about additional costs for developers. If you’re a developer, it's essential to understand the implications of this levy so you can manage your projects and budgets effectively.