Recycling week breaks out the bling to boost awareness

RECYCLING rates continue to improve but many homes may not be focusing enough on composting food waste or recycling clothes, garden waste and electrical goods, research has found.

A survey of more than 1,000 adults revealed all but 3% had recycled some waste in the past year, compared with 14% just three years ago.

However, less than one in four said they compost food waste at home, while just 28% claimed to recycle their garden waste.

The research published to mark the beginning of Repak Recycling Week today shows that respondents claimed to recycle more than 40% of their household waste.

However, other studies have shown that the rate is closer to 30% and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said the recycling rate is closer to 22%.

“The overstatement by people in our research means they believe they are recycling more than they actually are,” said Repak chief executive Andrew Hetherington.

“People are overstating their packaging waste and, therefore, potentially not concentrating on recycling their other wastes such as biodegradable food waste, garden waste, textiles and small electrical goods,” said Mr Hetherington.

Glass bottles and jars are recycled by 86% of adults, while about three-quarters recycle paper, cardboard packaging, drink cans and plastic bottles.

A little more than three in five people surveyed said they visit a bring bank or recycling centre once a month, slightly more than a year ago, although one in eight admitted never using these facilities. The survey carried out for Repak by Millward Brown IMS found that 71% prefer household collection for recycling.

Repak recycled more than 600,000 tonnes of used packaging last year, or more than 60% of all packaging waste. As part of Recycling Week, the company is placing “blinged” bring banks on Henry St, Grafton St, O’Connell St and in Temple Bar in Dublin to promote awareness of recycling facilities and encourage people to use them more.