Transforming Waste Management in the Irish Prison Service: A Step Towards Sustainability

The Irish Prison Service (IPS), under the Department of Justice, is focused on rehabilitation, humane treatment, and security for inmates, while also prioritizing sustainability. Many Irish prisons have adopted eco-friendly waste management strategies to reduce their environmental impact.

One notable example is the installation of Harp Renewables aerobic waste processors at various prisons. These biodigesters help manage food, animal, and other organic waste sustainably, while providing valuable vocational training for inmates.

A Commitment to Sustainability and Rehabilitation

Prisons like Castlerea have introduced innovative programs, such as the “Horses of Hope” Equine Centre, which teaches inmates animal welfare skills. Managing the waste from such programs, especially horse manure, presented a challenge. Harp Renewables developed a solution in the form of Harp CX Series food waste processors, which use aerobic digestion to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost or fertilizer. These compact, efficient units are ideal for prison environments, offering inmates hands-on experience that will enhance their employability post-release.

Project Description: Harp CX2, CX5 & CX10 Biodigesters

The Harp CX2, CX5, and CX10 are the cornerstone of this initiative, installed across various prison facilities in Ireland. Each machine is designed to process food and other organic waste, turn it into high-quality fertiliser in under 24 hours.

The Harp CX2, for instance, processes up to 2,000 litres of organic waste per week and reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills by up to 80%.

It has been installed in prisons such as Shelton Abbey, Portlaoise, Mountjoy Prison, Dublin 7, as well as Arbour Hill, Dublin 7.

Like the CX2, the Harp CX5 converts organic waste, with the use of enzymes in an oxygen rich environment, into a more useable nutrient rich fertiliser, in a 24-hour period. However, it is able to convert 5000 litres of waste weekly with up to 260,000 litres per year.

It has been installed in other prisons such as Castlerea (Roscommon), Cloverhill (Dublin 22), Loughan House (Cavan), Portlaoise, Wheatfield (Dublin 22), Cork City, as well as Limerick City. 

In Castlerea Prison, one of the facilities with multiple Harp machines, the CX5 processes food waste from the prison canteen, while another unit processes horse manure at the Equine Centre. The introduction of these machines has had a profound impact, not only on waste reduction but also on rehabilitation. Inmates at Castlerea are gaining practical experience in waste management and sustainable practices, all while contributing to the prison’s sustainability strategy.

This CX5 is equipped with a built-in bin lifter, designed to automatically lift and empty waste bins into the machine, enhancing the efficiency and safety of waste processing by reducing the manual handling of heavy bins.

Specifications:

• Equipment: Harp CX5 with bin lifter and actuator on door
• Waste Stream: On-site canteen waste, kitchen waste.
• Capacity: 715 Litres/Day, 5000 Litres/Week, 260,000 Litres/Year
• Estimated CO2 Savings: -3227.4 KgCO2eq (- 3.2 Tonnes CO2eq )

As well as that, we have also installed a Harp CX10 in prisons such as Mountjoy (Dublin 7), and Portlaoise. These machines are designed to convert a larger amount of food waste compared to the CX5 and CX2 machines, converting 10,000 litres of organic waste per week.

“The installation of the Harp CX machines across our prisons has completely changed how we manage waste and has given inmates the chance to gain practical skills in sustainability. By turning waste into reusable resources, we’ve greatly reduced our environmental impact and strengthened our rehabilitation programmes. This initiative shows how innovative solutions can create a more sustainable and rehabilitative correctional system.”
— James Keely, Assistant Governor, Care & Rehabilitation Directorate

Award-Winning Innovation with Harp CX Machines

Following this successful integration of the Harp CX2,5 and 10 machines to prisons all across Ireland, it has led to one of our greatest achievements yet, winning Innovation in Waste Resource Products or Services at the Pakman 2023 awards in Dublin, last year. The roll out of sustainable waste management implementation to all the prisons across Ireland, is changing the way in which waste is managed within the correctional system.

Click here, for an insert from RTE News, showcasing our win at the Pakman Awards 2023.