Amount of plastic in 2024 election posters same as in 1.3 million takeaway coffee cups

'The carbon impact was considered to equate to a full commercial plane making two return flights from Dublin to New York'

Some election posters in Cork City in 2024. A new report from An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s Electoral Commission, has recommended reducing the size of election posters, enforcing existing postering laws, and communicating with political stakeholders about public safety. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

Wed, 24 Jun, 2026 - 15:58

Louise Burne

The number of election posters used in the 2024 general election used the same amount of plastic as 1.3 million coffee cups and had the same carbon impact as return flights from Dublin to New York.

A new report from An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s Electoral Commission, has recommended reducing the size of election posters, enforcing existing postering laws, and communicating with political stakeholders about public safety.

The recommendations come following research by DCU’s Dawn Wheatley and Eoin O’Malley.

An Coimisiún Toghcháin’s report estimated that around 280,000 posters were generated for the 2024 election campaign.

This equates to 168 tonnes of plastic, or 1.3 million takeaway coffees, which is half of the amount of coffee drunk in Ireland every day.

“The carbon impact was considered to equate to a full commercial plane making two return flights from Dublin to New York,” the report noted.

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However, “conservative estimates” from the DCU researchers suggested that the environmental impact of one topic being discussed on one social media platform during the election could have the same carbon impact as one-third of the posters in an Irish election campaign.

Those who took part in the public consultations were against an outright ban or restrictions on election posters, suggesting that it could have a “detrimental impact on the ability of new candidates to get noticed”.

They also dismissed suggestions that there should be “designated poster zones” as this is “not regarded as appropriate, given the potential reduction of electoral awareness”.

“Approximately 90% of interviewees would not support a blanket ban on posters, citing unfairness on new candidates,” it noted.

The commission argued that posters play an “important part” in public engagement with the political system, including showing where constituency boundaries lie, and encouraging casual conversations.

Commission recommendations

However, they suggested that consideration be given to “limiting the size of the posters” on a phased basis.

“This would reduce the environmental costs of the material used and could also reduce the likelihood of weather damage to posters by high winds, thereby increasing potential for reuse and reducing the possible hazards caused by displaced posters.”

The report also suggested there should be “clear communication and more consistent and stringent enforcement of existing legislation and guidance” on poster rules, clarity on who is responsible for enforcing compliance, and local authorities being asked to improve facilities to dispose of and recycle posters.

Art O’Leary, chief executive of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, said the consultation shows people have “strong and deeply held views” about election posters.

“Our challenge is to preserve the elements of our electoral tradition that continue to serve voters, while ensuring that campaigning is safe, sustainable and respectful of the public spaces we all share,” he said.