Soft plastics added to recycling list but eco group says use must be reduced

Minister of State with special responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth TD and Repak Team Green Ambassador Roz Purcell at the announcement that soft plastic packaging can now be put in the Household recycling bin. Picture: Brian Arthur

The burden of reducing plastic waste should be tackled by businesses and not left to the consumer, an Irish environmentalist group has warned.

Households can now place all plastic packaging, including soft plastics, into their home recycling bins, once they are clean, dry and loose.

And while this has been tentatively welcomed by environmental groups, they have warned the only way forward is to "reduce the use of plastic in the first place".

"Let us not forget that plastics are petroleum-based products," Tony Lowes, director of Friends of the Irish Environment said.

"Given the global plastic market was valued at $580bn US dollars in 2020 and is expecting considerable growth over the next decade."

He added: "While Repack’s “eco modulation” policy, where businesses are charged more for difficult-to-recycle plastics, is forcing manufacturers to consider product design changes, this unsustainable industry must clean up its own house and move away from unsustainable plastic packaging altogether leaving the consumer in peace."

Minister of State for the Circular Economy Ossian Smyth TD said soft plastic can now be placed in the household recycling bin due to advancements in technology at Irish recycling facilities.

"Ireland currently recycles less than one-third of all plastic packaging and that this will help the country reach its summer target of 55% recycling by 2030," Mr Smyth said.

"Irish data from 2018 shows that of the 264,000 tonnes of plastic packaging generated, only 82,000 was recycled.

"To achieve targets for plastics of 50% by 2025, and 55% by 2030, the recycling of plastics in Ireland will have to increase."

He added: "Today’s announcement is a significant step towards achieving these targets.” 

Pauline McDonogh, spokesperson for MyWaste, Ireland’s official website for guidance on managing waste, said that the addition of soft plastic to the Irish household recycling bin makes waste segregation much more straightforward for the householder.

The recyclable plastic is sent to specialised recycling facilities, or if it cannot be recycled it will be used as fuel for cement kilns instead of fossil fuels.

All permitted waste collection companies are now accepting soft plastic packaging waste that is placed clean, dry and loose into the recycling bin.

For a detailed list of the materials that are now accepted in the household recycling bin see mywaste.ie.