Omar Khalid
Ireland's plastic waste is a growing concern. In 2019, Ireland generated about 65kg of plastic waste per person, almost double that of its European counterparts. The country's reliance on plastic is increasing, with low recycling rates and a high rate of incineration. Up to 2017, China accepted 95% of Ireland's plastic waste, but after the market closed, Ireland had to deal with its plastic waste. Sweden now accepts some of Ireland's waste, burning it in incinerators connected to municipal heating systems. Ireland's plastic waste problem poses a significant challenge, and the government and environmental organisations are working to reduce plastic waste and increase recycling rates.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic waste production
Ireland's plastic production and waste is a growing concern. The country is one of the largest producers of plastic waste in the European Union, with the highest waste generation in Europe. In 2019, Ireland generated about 65kg of plastic waste per person, almost double that of the UK and the EU average. The country's reliance on plastic is increasing, with an 11% increase in packaging waste in the year before the pandemic, totalling 1.1 million tonnes.
The majority of plastic in Ireland is burned instead of recycled, with about 39% incinerated and 31% going to landfill. This is a far higher incineration rate than the EU average, and Ireland is the fourth-lowest in the EU for recycling rates. The Irish government and environmental organisations are working to reduce plastic waste and increase recycling rates, but it is clear more needs to be done.
The high levels of plastic waste in Ireland are due to a variety of factors, including the country's burgeoning reliance on plastic, low recycling rates, and poor standards in industrial processes. Plastic packaging is a major contributor, with more than 60% of plastic waste coming from this source, but only 40% of it being recycled. The public has shown a strong interest in curbing plastic waste, and initiatives such as the plastic bag levy have had immediate environmental benefits, with a decrease of over 95% in plastic bag litter. Other suggestions to reduce plastic waste include refusing single-use plastic items, such as coffee cups and water bottles, and buying loose fruit and vegetables to limit non-recyclable packaging.
Ireland previously exported much of its plastic waste, with up to 97% going to China before the market closed in 2018. Some waste is now sent to Sweden, where it is burned in incinerators connected to municipal heating systems.
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Plastic recycling rates
Ireland's plastic recycling rates have improved in recent years, thanks to advancements in recycling technology and infrastructure. In 2021, Ireland recycled 31% of all plastic packaging, with an overall plastic recycling rate of 39%. The country aims to increase its plastic packaging recycling rate to 50% by 2025 and 55% by 2030 to meet EU targets.
The acceptance of soft plastics in household recycling bins has been a significant development in Ireland's recycling landscape. Previously, soft plastics, such as plastic films, pasta bags, and bread wrappers, had to be placed in the waste bin due to technological constraints and contamination concerns. However, with advancements in packaging design and recycling technology, segregation of different material types has become possible, allowing for the recycling of a much wider range of plastics.
Ireland's waste facilities are highly advanced, but human workers are still required on sorting lines to extract contaminated materials. To ensure effective recycling, it is essential that recyclables are clean, dry, and loose. Improper use of recycling bins can result in fines for households.
To meet its recycling targets, Ireland has introduced Deposit Return Schemes, aiming to reduce litter and waste and promote a circular economy. These schemes encourage the separate collection and recycling of plastic beverage bottles, with a focus on maximizing the volume and quality of recycled materials. Local authorities are also actively engaging with the bin surrounds pilot to comply with the EU Single-Use Plastic directive.
While Ireland's plastic recycling rates are improving, challenges remain. Up to 30% of items placed in recycling bins may need to be removed due to contamination or being non-recyclable. Additionally, a significant portion of plastic in Ireland is single-use, contributing to environmental concerns.
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Plastic waste export
Ireland's plastic waste generation is a growing concern. The country is the largest producer of plastic waste in Europe, with an average of 61-65 kg of plastic waste generated per person per year—almost double that of the UK and far higher than the EU average. In 2015, Ireland generated 282,148 tonnes of plastic packaging waste.
Currently, Ireland's plastic waste is handled through a combination of recycling, incineration, and landfilling. About 34% of plastic waste in Ireland is recycled, 39% is incinerated, and 31% goes to landfill. However, there is a declining trend in recycling rates, with the majority of plastic being burned instead of recycled. Ireland has also explored waste-to-energy incineration, sending some of its waste to Sweden, where it is burned in incinerators connected to municipal heating systems.
To address the growing plastic waste problem, the Irish government and environmental organisations are working to reduce plastic waste generation and increase recycling rates. Initiatives such as the "Shop and Drop" campaign, which highlights excessive packaging, and the Local Authority Prevention Network, which funds local initiatives to prevent plastic waste, are being implemented. Additionally, the publication of "A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy: Ireland's National Waste Policy 2020-2025" is a crucial step in tackling Ireland's plastic waste issues.
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Plastic waste disposal
The Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the agency responsible for monitoring recycling rates and environmental conditions in the country. Ireland's municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling rate was 34% in 2012, while the rate of packaging recycling reached 79%, the second-highest in the European Union after Germany. However, there is evidence that a significant amount of plastic waste is not properly recycled, with up to 30% of what is put in recycling bins having to be removed again. This is due to improper use of recycling bins, with non-recyclable waste being placed in recycling bins, contaminating otherwise recyclable materials.
To address the plastic waste problem, Ireland introduced a plastic bag levy in 2002, becoming the first country in the world to do so. This led to a significant decrease in plastic bag litter, with surveys indicating that up to 90% of shoppers used long-life bags in 2003, compared to 36% in 1999. The levy was increased in July 2006, and preliminary figures suggest it has been effective in reducing plastic bag usage. Additionally, Ireland implemented the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive in 2005, which requires retailers of electrical goods to provide free in-store take-back for old electrical goods when customers buy new equipment. As a result, Ireland is now the top country in Europe for electronics recycling.
Despite these efforts, Ireland remains heavily reliant on exporting its waste for treatment, with 38% of municipal waste exported in 2021. China took 95% of Ireland's plastic waste in 2016, but a ban on importing plastic waste from EU countries in 2018 has posed a new challenge. As a result, Ireland has been exploring alternative waste treatment methods, such as incineration, with some waste being sent to Sweden for incineration, where it is connected to municipal heating systems.
To further reduce plastic waste and improve recycling rates, Ireland has introduced a Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy as part of its National Waste Policy 2020-2025. This plan aims to reduce plastic waste production and improve waste management practices to meet mandatory EU recycling targets set for 2025. Individuals are also encouraged to reduce their plastic waste by avoiding unnecessary packaging and properly disposing of plastic items.
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Plastic waste reduction
Ireland's plastic waste generation is a growing concern. In 2019, Ireland generated about 65kg of plastic waste per person, amounting to 229kg of waste packaging per person, with similar figures reported in previous years. This is almost double the amount produced in the UK and far higher than the EU average. As a result, Ireland is the largest producer of plastic waste in Europe.
The high levels of plastic waste in Ireland are due to the country's increasing reliance on plastic and low recycling rates. In 2019, 34% of plastic waste in Ireland was recycled, 39% was incinerated, and 31% went to landfill. While recycling rates have improved in recent years, the majority of plastic in Ireland is still burned instead of recycled, with about 70% of plastic waste being incinerated.
To address this issue, the Irish government and environmental organisations are working to reduce plastic waste and increase recycling rates. The publication of "A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy: Ireland's National Waste Policy 2020-2025" is an important step in dealing with Ireland's growing plastic waste problem. The plan includes initiatives such as running national surveys to gauge attitudes, behaviours, and preferences of Ireland's consumers towards plastics, creating innovation and demonstration opportunities, and funding local authorities to deliver local/community initiatives to prevent plastic waste.
Individuals can also play a crucial role in reducing plastic waste. Here are some ways to reduce plastic waste:
- Refuse single-use plastic items such as coffee stirrers, cutlery, water cups, beverage bottles, balloons, and wipes.
- Use reusable bags for shopping instead of single-use plastic bags.
- Avoid using cling film and opt for wax wraps or reusable containers to store food.
- Buy loose fruit and vegetables to limit non-recyclable packaging and food waste.
- Choose items with paper or cardboard packaging over plastic packaging when possible.
- Ask supermarkets and butchers to offer items in bulk and bring your own reusable containers.
- Leave excess packaging behind at the supermarket or break it up and take only what you need.
- Buy fresh bread or break open the packaging and leave the plastic behind.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2016, China took 95% of Ireland's plastic waste. However, after China banned the importation of plastic waste from EU countries in 2018, Ireland has been sending some of its waste to Sweden, where it is burned in incinerators connected to municipal heating systems. Ireland also burns the majority of its plastic waste, with about 39% of plastic waste incinerated and 31% sent to landfills.
Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in Europe, generating an average of 61-65kg of plastic waste per person every year, almost double that of the UK and its European counterparts. In 2015, Ireland generated 282,148 tonnes of plastic packaging waste.
Ireland has implemented a plastic bag levy, which resulted in a decrease of over 95% in plastic bag litter. The Irish government and environmental organizations are working to reduce plastic waste and increase recycling rates, with 34% of plastic waste in Ireland recycled. The country has also introduced initiatives such as the "Shop and Drop" campaign, which aims to highlight excessive packaging, and the Local Authority Prevention Network, which funds local authorities to deliver initiatives to prevent plastic waste.
Individuals in Ireland can take several steps to reduce plastic waste, such as refusing single-use plastic products, using reusable bags, avoiding products with unnecessary packaging, and properly sorting and cleaning their recycling.
