The Plastic Problem: Ireland's Waste Production

Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in Europe, generating an average of 61kg per person each year. This is almost double the UK's plastic waste production. In 2015, Ireland generated 282,148 tonnes of plastic packaging waste. China took 95% of Ireland's plastic waste in 2016, but a ban on importing plastic waste from EU countries in 2018 means that Ireland must now find alternative solutions to manage its plastic waste crisis.

Ireland's plastic waste recycling has been exported to China

Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in Europe, with an average annual generation of 61kg per person, almost double that of the UK. In 2015, Ireland generated 282,148 tonnes of plastic packaging waste, of which only 34% was recycled. The country has struggled to deal with its plastic waste, and until recently, much of it has been exported.

China was the primary recipient of Ireland's plastic waste exports, taking up to 97% of it before the Chinese market closed in 2017. In 2016, China accepted 7 million tonnes of plastic scrap, more than half of the world's exported plastic waste that year. This was due to Ireland's lack of infrastructure to process recyclables and China's demand for recyclable materials to serve its emerging middle class.

However, China's decision to ban plastic waste imports from EU countries in 2018 posed a significant challenge for Ireland. The ban resulted in a price collapse in the value of plastic and a sharp increase in recycling costs. Ireland has since been seeking new markets for its plastic waste, with some companies finding outlets in India, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

While Ireland has shown agility in finding alternatives to China, the country still lacks long-term infrastructure to deal with vast amounts of plastic waste. In the meantime, national and international strategies are being discussed to address this issue, and individuals are encouraged to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic responsibly.

Ireland's plastic waste crisis

The crisis is exacerbated by the country's limited landfill capacity and challenges in waste management. While 34% of plastic waste in Ireland is recycled, which is slightly higher than the EU average of 30%, a substantial amount still ends up in landfills or is incinerated. Furthermore, illegal dumping is prevalent in Ireland, causing harm to the countryside and wildlife.

Historically, Ireland relied heavily on exporting its plastic waste, with China accepting 95% of it in 2016. However, China's ban on importing plastic waste from EU countries in 2018 posed a significant challenge for Ireland, as it was no longer an option for waste disposal. This ban, coupled with Ireland's high waste production, has pushed the country towards a crisis.

To address the crisis, the Irish government has implemented initiatives such as the Recycling Ambassador Programme and the Waste Reduction Bill. These programmes aim to educate the public about effective recycling practices and reduce plastic waste in the environment. Additionally, the publication of "A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy: Ireland's National Waste Policy 2020-2025" outlines steps to tackle the growing plastic waste issue.

Individuals in Ireland are also taking action to reduce plastic waste. Suggested measures include refusing single-use plastics, using reusable bags and containers, and limiting non-recyclable packaging. By combining government initiatives and individual efforts, Ireland is working towards mitigating its plastic waste crisis and promoting sustainable waste management practices.

Plastic waste in the ocean

Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in Europe, generating an average of 61 kg per person every year, almost double the UK's amount. This amounts to nearly 2,000 water bottles or 5,550 disposable coffee cups per person annually. In 2015, Ireland generated 282,148 tonnes of plastic packaging waste.

The issue of plastic waste in Ireland is a critical one, with plastic pollution causing unnecessary and unsustainable harm to the environment and people's health. Plastic waste in the ocean is a significant contributor to this crisis. Between 5 and 13 million tonnes of plastic end up in the world's oceans each year, ingested by seabirds, fish, and other organisms. By 2050, research predicts that the oceans will contain more plastic by weight than fish.

The sources of plastic waste entering the ocean are varied. Plastic litter, or plastic that is not collected due to inadequate waste management facilities or illegal dumping, can be transported by wind and rain into drainage networks or rivers and eventually reach the sea. Even when plastic waste is collected and transported to landfill sites, it is still at risk of escaping into the environment and ending up in rivers or oceans.

Another source of plastic waste in the ocean is microbeads, tiny pieces of plastic found in personal care and cosmetic products that are washed down the drain. These microbeads are often too small to be filtered out by wastewater plants and can flow into the ocean, contributing to plastic pollution. Industrial leakage, due to poor standards in industrial processes, is also responsible for plastic entering the ocean, either through improper disposal or during the production and transportation of products.

To address the issue of plastic waste in Ireland and its impact on the ocean, several actions have been taken. China, the world's largest importer of recyclable materials, previously accepted 7 million tonnes of the world's plastic scrap in 2016, with up to 97% of Irish plastic waste being exported there. However, China's ban on importing plastic waste from EU countries in 2018 posed a significant challenge for Ireland. This ban highlighted the urgency of reducing plastic waste production and improving waste management practices. The Irish government has since published "A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy: Ireland's National Waste Policy 2020-2025" to tackle the country's growing plastic waste issues. Additionally, initiatives like the Recycling Ambassador Programme aim to educate the public about effective recycling practices.

Ireland's household and commercial waste segregation

Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in Europe, with an average of 61 kg per person each year. This is almost double the UK's plastic waste production. In 2015, Ireland generated 282,148 tonnes of plastic packaging waste.

To address this issue, the waste industry must provide organic waste bins to all premises and support awareness campaigns to simplify segregation. The new commercial waste regulations, which require separate organic waste collection from commercial premises, must also be implemented without delay.

A review of household segregation practices found that 64% of items in general waste bins could be recycled or composted. However, only 69% of households have an organic waste bin, and only 32% of food waste is placed in these bins. This is in contrast to commercial waste, where 70% of food waste is placed in general waste bins, with only 25% in organic waste bins.

The EPA's Director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability, Micheál Lehane, emphasised the importance of transitioning to a circular economy and achieving municipal recycling rate targets. He stated that providing organic waste bins to all households and businesses is crucial, and the implementation of new commercial waste regulations is urgent.

The quantity of household waste managed in Ireland in 2022 was 342 kg per person, a decrease from 361 kg per person in 2021 and 372 kg per person in 2020. The increase in household waste in 2020 was likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as public health guidelines required most people to stay at home.

Illegal dumping is a significant issue in Ireland, causing concern for the countryside and wildlife. The National Litter Pollution Monitoring System report in 2019 showed that pedestrians caused the highest level of litter pollution at 41%, with motorists as the next highest offenders at 22.8%. Cigarette litter was the main constituent of litter pollution at 53.9%.

Ireland's waste legislation

Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in Europe, generating an average of 61 kg per person each year. This is almost double the UK's average. In 2015, Ireland generated 282,148 tonnes of plastic packaging waste.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local authorities are responsible for implementing waste policy and legislation. The EPA's primary activities in waste management include:

• Drawing up and reviewing the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan.
• Monitoring and reporting on waste management plans.
• Ensuring that waste treatment operations are licensed.
• Carrying out inspections of companies involved in waste collection or disposal.

Several acts and regulations govern waste management in Ireland, including:

• The Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992.
• The Waste Management Act 1996.
• The Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001.
• The Protection of the Environment Act 2003.
• The Waste Management (Registration of Brokers and Dealers) Regulations 2008.
• The Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2019.
• The Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019.

These laws and regulations aim to ensure proper waste disposal, prevent environmental pollution, and promote sustainable waste management practices in Ireland.

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