Ireland recycles more than twice the weight of its population

Figures released by Repak today show a significant increase in packaging recycling, from 565,000 tonnes in 2005 to 603,000 tonnes recycled in 2006.

This equates to the average weight of 8.8 million people which is more than double the population of Ireland and is the equivalent of 463,000 tonnes of carbon savings.

Last year household packaging recycling tonnages rose by 24% from 2005.

The results also show a 12% increase in glass recycling which reflects the increase in the use of Bring Banks.

In 2006, 111,283 tonnes of glass was recycled which equates to approximately 214 million wine bottles.

276,507 tonnes of paper and cardboard was recycled which equates to 3.7 billion cereal boxes and 52,841 tonnes of plastic equivalent to 1.5 billion plastic drinks bottles were recycled.

“This year recycling rates have continued to grow and both businesses and householders deserve to be congratulated. In order to meet future targets more will need to be recycled from the domestic household bin which will see costs rise significantly,” said Andrew Hetherington, CEO of Repak.

If Ireland is to meet its recycling target of 65% by 2011 Repak will need to recycle or recover more materials from domestic or household bins which is significantly more expensive than the recovery of commercial packaging tonnes.

Repak estimates that €180m needs to be invested by Irish industry in packaging recycling over the next five years in order for Ireland to meet its next EU packaging recovery targets.

By 2011 the annual funding of packaging recycling by Repak is forecast to rise to €45m.