Prevention of waste is the main priority of the EU Waste Management Hierarchy. Prevention is defined in the Clean Technology Centre Prevention Framework Document as:

Elimination or reduction at source of material and energy consumption, waste arisings (solid, gaseous, heat and liquid), and harmful substances.

Prevention and Minimisation have increased in the Dublin region since the appointment of Environmental Awareness Officers (EAO) in each local authority. They play an important part in the prevention and minimisation in their community. 

Waste minimisation initiatives in Dublin Region have primarily been aimed at diverting waste from disposal through kerbside recycling, bring banks, recycling centres and home compost bins which are provided at a reduced price to encourage diversion of organic waste. The Green schools initiative has also been successful in educating young children in the community about responsible waste management.

To date 173 schools have obtained their green flag.

The Local Agenda 21 Environment Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small-scale environmental projects at the local level which involve partnerships between Local Authorities and local community groups, schools and environmental NGO’s. Almost 75% of the projects have been waste related.

There has also been various business initiatives set up within the region in relation to waste management. Many larger industries are carrying out waste prevention and minimisation initiatives due to the need for compliance with IPC licensing.  Dun laoghaire - Rathdown and Fingal Co Councils have organised Courses, Presentations, Networks and Forums, Waste Characterisation Studies, Green Weeks and Guidelines.

Other national initiatives have been in operation in recent times such as:

• The Environment Partnership Fund.
• Environmental Research Technological Development and Innovation Research Programme (ERTDI).
• Cleaner Greener Production Programme.
• National Waste Prevention Programme.
• Enforcement Legislation.
• Race Against Waste.
• Tidy Towns.
• Small Change for Business.
• Programme for Action.

The Cultivate Centre in Temple Bar has a resource centre featuring sustainable solutions, products, workshops and a green map of Dublin.

St Andrews Resource centre on Pearse Street hosts a market each Saturday, which features sustainable and organic products. The centre enables networking and exchange of information on issues such as waste management.

In the Dublin Region much of the change with regard to improvements in waste prevention hinges on the commitment to prioritise prevention supported by adequate financial resources and designated staff.  Some of the key objectives to be implemented over the next five years include:

• In addition to the current EAO each Local Authority will employ a Green Business Officer, and a Green Schools Officer. The roles of these officers will be determined by the Dublin Regional Waste Steering Group.
  

• Community/Small Scale Central Composting initiatives will be supported by the Local Authority Awareness Officers.
  
  
• EAOs in the Region will advise on the sources of funding available in the preparation of any applications for funding.
  
  
• The Local Authorities will continue to support community and voluntary groups, through advice and support. Reuse and repair are also a main initiative. It is the objective of the plan to establish a resource recovery centre and to provide a virtual reuse network for the Dublin Region through www.DublinWaste.ie
  
  
• The local authorities will continue to offer a cost effective waste collection service with a pay by use policy.  

In September 2006 FREE Trade was officially launched as part of the services provided on DublinWaste.ie. The objective of FREE Trade is to encourage the reuse of items in the community rather than disposing of items through other channels such as landfill.

The FREE Trade service allows users to post notices for unwanted household goods and advertise them to other site users. All items are posted for free, and there is no charge involved in using the service.

The service has a very positive community dimension and the populartity of it has grown, with membership since the launch of the website standing at over 25,000 members (February 2009).

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