Kilbeggan metal recycling plant set to expand as emissions licence granted

PHOTO: Niall Nally, EHS Specialist with KMK Metals Recycling, pictured holding the new licence for its Kilbeggan facility alongside site supervisors Eamonn McCauley and Alan O'Connor.

The KMK Metals Recycling company has been granted an Industrial Emissions Licence which will allow it to significantly expand activities at its facility on the Moate Road in Kilbeggan.

Up until now, the Kilbeggan facility has operated under a Waste Facility Permit, issued by Westmeath County Council, for the acceptance of 50,000 tonnes of metal waste and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) over a five-year period.

However, the new licence granted by the EPA Ireland will authorise it to accept up to 50,000 tonnes of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes per annum.

This means that KMK Metals Recycling now has a combined 85,000 tonnes licensed acceptance capacity at its two facilities in Tullamore and Kilbeggan, placing the company in a unique position for the handling of metals, WEEE and battery wastes in Ireland.

The main activities to be expanded at the Kilbeggan site include flat panel display unit treatment, fines treatment, large household appliances de-pollution and the storage of fridges, freezers and WEEE fractions.

The facility will also pioneer a new 'preparation for re-use' activity for the company.

Olivia Brennan, Compliance Manager of KMK Metals Recycling, said: "The EPA has granted us a robust and comprehensive licence which facilitates us to adhere to the most stringent environmental standards for our industry.

"We are committed to the protection of the environment and embrace the conditions of the licence which, along with mitigation measures we apply, will ensure that there is no risk of environmental pollution from our activities."

The new EPA licence issued to the company for the Kilbeggan facility can be accessed at: https://www.kmk.ie/custom/public/files/20201112-epa-ied-licence-p1076-01-kilbeggan-.pdf