Donegal County Council has recently been awarded funding for a Tory Island Environmental Programme. The award is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Authority Prevention and Demonstration Programme. Only 6 applications for funding under this current scheme were successful which indicates the high standard required of each proposed project.

Tory Island is located 11 km off the north coast of Donegal and has a population of 65 households and 8 businesses. With no Roll on/Roll off ferry service to the island waste management has historically been problematic.

Businesses and householders traditionally disposed of their wastes on the island and waste prevention or recycling was not considered.

In 2005 Comharchumann Thorai Teo, in conjunction with Donegal County Council, introduced a trial domestic waste collection service to the island. All islanders have access to this collection service and the majority of homes and businesses now avail of it. With seasonal fluctuations in population, waste is transported to the mainland by passenger ferry once a week during winter and twice a week during the summer. Since the introduction of the service the community at large has greatly benefited.

The islanders have taken ownership of the waste collection system and it is now well established.

Having started with zero waste management on the island Donegal County Council in collaboration with Comharchumann Thorai  now intend to capitalise on the waste awareness which exists and develop a home-grown model of waste prevention and recycling. This award now provides the necessary funding.

Tasks to be undertaken within this initiative include:

Conduct domestic and commercial waste audits/compositional analysis studies. These will determine what wastes are generated on Tory.
Produce a waste management plan for Tory through extensive consultation with the island community.
Waste prevention target of 10% through a significant improvement in waste awareness on the island.
Investigate the potential for re-use of specific waste types on the island.
Waste recycling target of 10% through a reduction in the amount of biodegradable waste and mixed dry recyclable wastes being landfilled.
Develop a website covering progress of the project.
Work with local businesses to reduce energy and water needs.
Examine alternative energy options for the island.
Work with local school towards Green Flag status.
Promote habitat development and biodiversity on the island by native species cultivation.