A new survey has highlighted a significant problem undermining Ireland’s recycling efforts, with approximately one quarter of households regularly placing incorrect waste into their green recycling bins.
The research, commissioned by non-profit organization Repak and released to coincide with World Recycling Day, found that one-third of people were unaware that a single contaminated item can render an entire bin’s contents unrecyclable. Nearly a quarter (24%) incorrectly believed that contamination doesn’t affect the whole bin, while an additional 9% admitted uncertainty about the issue.
“Repak would like to remind people that prevention is better than cure,” stated Zoe Kavanagh, the organization’s chief executive. “Make sure items are clean, dry and loose before placing them in the recycling bin. This means simply rinsing the items and letting them drip dry before placing them loosely into the recycling bin.”
The consequences of improper recycling practices are substantial. According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data cited in the report, approximately 127,000 tonnes of materials—representing one-fourth of all items placed in recycling bins annually—are incorrectly disposed of each year. Simultaneously, 792,000 tonnes of recyclable materials end up in general waste bins.
The EPA has expressed concern that Ireland is “over-reliant” on other countries for waste management, having exported over one million tonnes of waste in 2022 due to insufficient domestic treatment capacity. Adding to these concerns, Ireland’s overall waste generation has increased by 20% over the past decade.
Nearly two-thirds of waste placed in general waste bins could have been properly segregated into recycling or organic bins. Food waste, which accounts for 17% of household unsegregated waste, represents a particularly significant opportunity for improvement in household recycling rates.
“Recycling is a 100% game; it only takes one person to have an impact on the entire household’s good intentions,” Kavanagh emphasized. “By following the simple rule of ‘Clean, Dry, Loose,’ people can play a vital part in helping us meet national recycling targets. These small but significant actions not only support our recycling efforts but also contribute to protecting our environment for future generations.”