Ireland generated 4th highest waste level per person in EU

People in Ireland generated the fourth highest amount of waste per person in the EU two years ago, although waste companies report the recession has forced us to cut the amount being produced over the past year.

More than one third of waste was recycled — one of the highest in the EU — with more than half still being sent to landfill.

Just 4% was incinerated — one of the lowest percentages in the EU.

In 2010, there was 636kg of municipal weight produced per person — a little heavier than a mature cow — considerably more than the EU average of 502kg.

The Cypriots generated the most at 760kg, while Latvia produced less than half this at 314kg, the least in any EU country.

The methods of dealing with waste vary widely, with 100% of it in Bulgaria being sent to landfill while none was in Germany or the Netherlands.

Ireland has been gradually reducing the amount being disposed of in landfill.

The country has one of the lowest levels of incineration in the EU at 4%, while the Danes incinerate more than half.

When the long-delayed incinerator at Poolbeg, Dublin, comes on stream, this is expected to increase considerably. Other changes are expected too as moves are being made to further privatise waste collection.