Maya Ellison
Soft plastics are any type of plastic that can be scrunched in your hand, such as pasta bags or plastic bags. In Ireland, soft plastics can now be placed in the recycling bin, as long as they are clean, dry, and loose. This is a result of advancements in packaging design and investment in recycling technology, allowing for the segregation of different material types in recycling facilities. Previously, soft plastics had to be placed in the waste bin, and were often burned. Ireland has set ambitious targets for increasing its plastic packaging recycling rates, and the inclusion of soft plastics in the recycling bin is expected to help the country achieve these goals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soft plastic definition | Any plastic that can be scrunched in your hand |
| Recyclability | Recyclable in Ireland since 2021 |
| Recycling bin | Should be placed in the green/blue bin |
| Plastic condition | Should be clean, dry, and loose |
| Plastic type | Both soft and rigid plastics are accepted |
| Plastic examples | Plastic film from shopping, plastic bottles, plastic tubs, containers, food trays, yoghurt pots, shampoo bottles, plastic plant pots, etc. |
| Previous issues | Lack of infrastructure, contamination, and exporting plastic waste |
| Goals | Achieve EU recycling targets, reduce plastic pollution, and promote a circular economy |
| Future improvements | Increased investment in technology and infrastructure |
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What You'll Learn
Soft plastics can now be recycled in Ireland
The ability to recycle soft plastics simplifies the recycling process and shifts the responsibility for sorting to commercial facilities. This change is expected to increase the amount of soft plastic that is recycled, with Pauline McDonagh of MyWaste.ie stating that around half of soft plastics will be recycled, while the rest will be burned to generate energy. The introduction of soft plastic recycling is welcomed as a positive step forward, but it is important to remember that it is not a panacea, and efforts should still be made to reduce plastic consumption.
Ireland's waste facilities are equipped with advanced technology, but human sorters are still needed to extract contaminated materials. To ensure effective recycling, it is crucial that citizens place items in the correct bins, following the "`clean, dry, and loose` mantra." This includes ensuring that plastic items are free from food and liquids and are not placed in plastic bags or stuffed into other materials.
The integration of revolutionary technological advancements in plastic sorting has enabled Clean Ireland Recycling to accept all plastics, both soft and rigid, in household recycling bins. This significant development empowers citizens to play a more active role in combating plastic waste. The upgrade in recycling technology has been supported by investments from companies like Repak, which invested €10 million to enhance the technology used to sort soft and rigid plastics.
Overall, the ability to recycle soft plastics in Ireland is a positive step towards reducing plastic pollution and meeting EU recycling targets. However, it is important to remember that recycling should be complemented with efforts to reduce plastic consumption and prevent plastic waste.
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Clean, dry and loose
Clean, dry, and loose are the three essential conditions that plastic must meet before being placed in the recycling bin in Ireland. This applies to all plastic, including soft plastic and rigid/hard plastics. Soft plastic is any type of plastic that can be scrunched in your hand, such as pasta bags, plastic film from shopping, plastic bottles, and food trays.
Firstly, it is important to ensure that the plastic is clean. This means that there should be no food or liquid left on the plastic items. While there is no need to vigorously clean soft plastics, they must be free from food and residue before being placed in the recycling bin.
Secondly, the plastic must be dry. This is an important distinction as wet or damp plastic can cause issues during the recycling process and may be classified as contaminated waste.
Lastly, the plastic should be placed loosely in the recycling bin. This means not putting plastic items into plastic bags or stuffing them into other materials such as boxes. This is because the plastic needs to be sorted and processed at the recycling facilities, and loose items are easier to sort. It is also worth noting that recycling facilities in Ireland are very high-tech, but there are still humans on the sorting lines who have to extract contaminated materials, which can be unpleasant and challenging.
By following these three simple rules, you can help ensure that your plastic waste is recycled properly and contribute to Ireland's efforts to meet its plastic recycling targets. Ireland is currently recycling less than a third of its plastic packaging waste and has committed to increasing this to 50% by 2025.
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Technological advancements in recycling
The scientific community is facing crucial challenges in delivering a healthier world for future generations. The massive use of plastic materials over the last century has generated large amounts of long-lasting waste, which has often not been adequately addressed by recovery and disposal policies. Most of this waste is generated by packaging materials. However, in the last decade, a new trend imposed by environmental concerns has brought this topic under scrutiny, as evidenced by the increasing number of related publications.
The good news is that plastic recycling technology has seen a tremendous shift in recent years, moving from mechanical recycling, which typically degrades plastic quality, to more advanced chemical recycling methods. Chemical recycling technologies use heat, chemical reactions, or both, to recycle used plastic into virgin-equivalent plastic, fuel, or other chemicals. This creates a closed loop where plastics can be infinitely recycled to help reduce reliance on landfills.
One of the most groundbreaking advancements is depolymerization technology, which processes plastic waste in just five minutes – a dramatic improvement compared to older methods that took much longer. Depolymerization or chemical recycling transforms waste plastic into the molecules from which it originated, so industry can create new plastics with original qualities. This method ensures plastic quality along with retention by ensuring the full integrity of materials, which dramatically enhances the potential of circular economy models.
Another advanced technology is pyrolysis, a thermal process used to decompose plastic’s chemical chains into various lengths of hydrocarbons to be refined into plastic or fuel. Plasma pyrolysis employs high-temperature plasma torches to transform plastic waste into synthetic gas (syngas) which creates energy or chemical products for industrial needs. Pyrolysis is currently the most mature of the chemical recycling technologies, with several companies using it, and at least one company using gasification on a commercial scale.
Other technological advancements in recycling include:
- Advanced sorting technologies, such as artificial intelligence technologies, that increase automated sorting efficiency.
- Smart bins equipped with sensors that can detect and sort the type of waste being deposited.
- 3D printing, which is being used to recycle plastic waste into new products.
- Nanotechnology, which is being used to create new materials that are stronger and more durable, making them more suitable for recycling.
- Biodegradable plastics, which can be broken down by natural processes, reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills.
- Solvent dissolution, which uses specific chemical solvents to extract targeted polymers and remove contaminants like adhesives.
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Ireland's plastic waste
Ireland generates around 265,000 to 320,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year, with less than one-third of this being recycled. In 2016, China—then the world's largest importer of recyclable materials—banned the importing of plastic waste from European countries. This move affected Ireland significantly, as China had been taking in 95% of the country's plastic waste.
In 2021, advancements in packaging design and investments in recycling technology meant that all plastic packaging, including soft plastics, could be placed in the recycling bin. Soft plastics are any type of plastic that can be scrunched in your hand, such as pasta bags, plastic film from shopping, plastic bottles, and food trays. Previously, soft plastics had to be placed in the waste bin, even though some were technically recyclable. Now, all permitted waste collection companies in Ireland accept soft plastic packaging that is clean, dry, and placed loosely in the recycling bin.
Despite these advancements, there is still a long way to go in terms of plastic waste management in Ireland. It is hoped that around half of soft plastics will be recycled, with the rest burned to generate energy in the cement manufacturing process. Additionally, there is a concern that recycling may promote a "free-for-all" and encourage people to use more plastic. Furthermore, up to one-third of all household recycling bins are contaminated by unrecyclable materials, making it impossible for anything in those bins to be recycled.
To address these issues, Ireland has set ambitious targets for reducing plastic pollution and increasing recycling rates. By 2025, the country aims to recycle 50% of its plastic packaging waste, increasing to 55% by 2030. These targets are in line with the EU's rules and will contribute to a significant shift towards a circular economy.
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The future of soft plastics recycling
Previously, soft plastics had to be placed in the waste bin, but now all plastic packaging, including soft plastics, can be put in the recycling bin as long as it is clean, dry, and loose. This change is due to the upgrade in recycling technology, allowing for the segregation of different plastic types. The recyclable plastic is sent to specialised, polymer-specific recycling facilities, and if it cannot be recycled, it is used as fuel for cement kilns.
However, there are still challenges and concerns in the soft plastics recycling process. One issue is contamination, as up to one-third of household recycling bins contain unrecyclable material, such as food-splattered plastic containers or nappies hidden inside other packaging. Additionally, there is a risk of complacency, where people may feel they can use more plastic because it is recyclable. Furthermore, while soft plastic recycling is a positive step, it is just one part of a larger journey towards reducing plastic waste.
To address these concerns, Ireland has implemented initiatives such as the "`clean, dry, and loose` mantra" and countrywide campaigns to improve recycling and reduce contamination. These efforts aim to educate citizens about proper recycling practices and encourage a shift towards a circular economy, emphasising greater recycling, reuse, and extended product lifespans.
Overall, the future of soft plastics recycling in Ireland holds great potential, with technological advancements, increased accessibility, and ambitious targets. However, continued efforts are needed to address contamination, promote responsible plastic use, and foster a circular economy to achieve a sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, all plastic packaging, including soft plastics, can now be placed in your recycling bin.
Soft plastics should be clean, dry, and loose. They should not be placed inside plastic bags or stuffed into other materials such as boxes.
Soft plastics are brought to material recovery facilities (MRFs) in Ireland to separate the plastics into different polymers. If the soft plastics are recyclable, they will be sent to specialised, polymer-specific recycling facilities. If they cannot be recycled, they will be sent as Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) to replace fossil fuels at cement kilns.
