Re-Gen respond to the Independent report by Warrenpoint Harbour Authority

Last week, WHA released an independent Environmental Audit Report, commissioned by WHA and conducted by Practical Waste Solutions, which examined odour and fly concerns relating to the waste management operations of its tenant Re-Gen.

The report makes a number of findings and recommendations that can be viewed at https://warrenpointport.com/environmental-investigation-report.

WHA said they will implement the recommendations of the report in full stating:

“New fortnightly independent monitoring and review will continue throughout 2024.

The length of time Re-Gen’s bales can be held at WHA will be reduced from the statutory 3 months to a target of 6 weeks with bale height reduced to a maximum of 8.

All relevant regulatory correspondence to be shared by Re-Gen with WHA.

WHA is appointing a new Environmental Officer.

WHA is establishing a Community Forum to directly engage with the community.

"The report recognised the positive impact of the steps taken in late 2023 to mitigate odour and fly issues but found that the statutory conditions which enabled Re-Gen to hold bales on site for up to three months was the single greatest contributory factor to the odour and fly issue.

In the following statement sent to the Newry Reporter Re-Gen responded to the report.

“Re-Gen has been running a transfer facility at Warrenpoint Port for more than a decade and, when it was made aware of the issues, it immediately took action by accelerating the shipment of materials from the site, double wrapping the bales of refuse derived fuel, introducing a digital bale management system and increasing the use of a food-safe deodoriser. Re-Gen has noted the recommendations made by the report’s authors - a number of which have already been implemented, including reducing dwell time of bales at the facility well below the stated requirements. The company pledges to follow through with the additional recommendations set out in the report, such as the use of a visual bird scarer and better communication and engagement with local stakeholders. On the latter, Re-Gen has already held engagement sessions with

local residents and political representatives. Of note, the report has flagged other sources of odour and flies – such as the adjacent wastewater treatment works, mudflats, agricultural slurry spreading and the anaerobic digestion plant.

Joseph Doherty, Chief Executive of Re-Gen, said: “We have reviewed the independent report from Warrenpoint Harbour Authority, one which sets out in very clear terms the potential causes of the odour and fly issues encountered last summer. We apologise again to residents and other local stakeholders for the part Re-Gen played in the issues raised and commit to continuing to do our utmost to prevent a repetition in the future.

“We are reassured by the report that the actions we took to address the issues last summer were effective and that the additional measures we have taken are in line or exceed those recommended by the authors. We also welcome the acknowledgement that there are other potential sources of odour and flies in the vicinity which have contributed to the problem.

“As a team, we look forward working alongside all local stakeholders in the future. Warrenpoint is an important location for Re-Gen, not just as a base for the business, but also a place where many of our employees live. As such, it is a key priority for us to operate in harmony alongside our neighbours.”