Ireland is falling behind in its efforts to manage waste and meet crucial environmental targets, according to a stark new report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released this week.
The report paints a troubling picture of Ireland’s waste management, showing a 20% increase in total waste generation compared to a decade ago. In 2022 alone, the country produced a staggering 15.7 million tonnes of waste, signaling a growing environmental challenge.
Key findings highlight Ireland’s struggle to transition to a circular economy. Municipal waste recycling currently stands at 41%, falling short of the EU’s 55% target for 2025. Even more concerning is the plastic packaging recycling rate, which, despite improving from 28% to 32%, remains far below the 50% goal.
David Flynn, director of the EPA’s office of environmental sustainability, expressed serious concerns. “Current measures to prevent waste, promote reuse, and encourage recycling are simply not enough to meet mandatory targets,” he warned.
According to The Journal, one of the most alarming aspects of the report is Ireland’s heavy reliance on waste exportation. More than 1.2 million tonnes of municipal waste (38%) was shipped to other countries in 2022, revealing significant vulnerabilities in the nation’s waste management infrastructure.
Construction and demolition waste tell a slightly more positive story. The sector, which accounts for half of Ireland’s total waste, achieved an 82% recovery rate, exceeding the required 70%. Most of this waste, primarily soil and stone, was used in land restoration projects.
Warren Phelan, EPA’s circular economy programme manager, emphasised the need for comprehensive change. “Ireland’s economy is characterised by high raw material consumption,” Phelan stated. “We need deeper transformations across all sectors, with effective regulation and incentives to encourage businesses and consumers to adopt more sustainable practices.”
A small bright spot emerges with new regulations mandating waste collectors to provide brown bins for food and organic waste, potentially improving the current 66% household access rate.
The challenge is clear: Ireland must rapidly transform its approach to waste management, investing in circular economy infrastructure and changing consumption patterns to meet environmental targets and combat climate change.