Let's talk rubbish: Ireland table-toppers in waste plastic production

Kya deLongchamps says Ireland tops the league when it comes to the production of waste plastic in Europe.

ACCORDING to the latest EuroStat figures we are the largest producer of waste plastic in Europe — 61kg per person, per year for every man, woman and child in the country.

Portugal, fifth in the top offenders list only produces 36kg per person — we really haven’t listened have we? What happened to the promises of a circular economy?

Our table-topping, 61k refers to the consumption of plastic packaging, even if most of us legally bin our bottles and wrap. I wonder what the real figure really is?

China, which used to take most of our plastic, has prohibited the importation of Irish rigid plastics for recycling since January 1, and guess who is first up, paying for that from now on?

A number of bin companies have already slapped a nominal annual fee for green bin collection on their customers.

In letters sent out, the firms have put the blame squarely on the users — dirty green bins allegedly caused the Chinese to pull away from the Irish recycling sector. So, while €20-€22.80 or 15c per kilo’ might seem little to pay now, for some, it does set a precedent and who knows where charges may go from here?

This is a global market and what we can’t absorb ourselves, we will have to ship out — that’s the primary reason why the incinerator at Ringaskiddy passed the final hurdle to gain permission, (there may be ongoing, legal obstacles, however, as protestors galvanise).

It’s anticipated that all waste companies nationwide, will follow where Panda, Greyhound and others have gone. Many firms add a fee for mixed waste in the green bin or charge a 12-18c excess above a threshold weight — that reasonable usage clause again.

Now the black bin still remains your most expensive pay-by-weight problem and there’s no reason to back off from treating the green and brown (compost) bin with respect. When the system is working well — indigenous, Irish companies can use recycled materials for export or to make new products — it’s a win-win. The Government will soon have a mountain of plastic and other green bin rubbish to deal with as China and India have always demanded clean, sorted recyclables (rigid plastics, clean dry paper and aluminium cans) and consignments can and have been turned back at port.

It’s estimated that 30% of Irish green bins are picked up contaminated — useless, expensive, and a total waste of manpower. With the plastics problem turning back on us, we need to row in and ensure what goes into our green bins is fit for market.

The Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment launched a new website, Recycle List Ireland (recyclinglistireland.ie) to illustrate in finer detail, exactly what we can and cannot put in the green bin. With mixed materials in some products and a variety of plastics and paper types to deal with — it’s fair to say confusion reigns, and the green bin is often contaminated by sheer lack of information.

If you’re flinging every bit of paper in the bin — tear up that hymn sheet (and check it for a plastic backing). It’s easier to show you what not to include. Everything that goes in should be separate — not stacked — and clean and dry, so don’t rinse and dump wet pieces into the bin.

- Paper towels

Already recycled and cannot be included clean or dirty. Clean enough? Compost them. Start using cloths and launder where you can.

- Pizza boxes

Not only waxed but covered in food debris, you can try to compost them, but keep them out of the green bin.

- Beverage cups

Plastic line. Generally cannot be recycled. Pack your own cup to the barista.

- Carrier bags

The paper carrier with handles gets tangled in the machinery at your recycling centre. Leave them out. Stop asking for them in store.

- Paper with plastic attached (sandwich boxes)

You can tear the paper loose, but otherwise it’s the black bin.

- Glass

Recycle separately — remove lids — throw them into the appropriately coloured skip and take your boxes home please. Glass wheelie bins are provided in some urban areas.

- Foil

Generally always dirty. Black bin it. Stop lining every roasting tray and buy a PBA free lunchbox.

- Light plastic

If you can scrunch a piece of plastic in your hand (cling-film, light wrap) it should not go into the recycling bin. Not even all plastics marked recyclable can be recycled in Ireland. Rigid plastic-like milk cartons are fine.

So here we are, back at packaging — light one-use plastics by the retail sector makes up 40% of the industry — providing perishable food in packaging that can last centuries. It’s an environmental hazard when it goes the wrong way, and nuisance materials for recycling in Ireland at present.

Compostable biomaterials for packs for everything from pasta to cornflakes are just waiting in the wings —but it’s going to take some pressure from us, from you.

SuperValu had introduced compostable produce bags on trial. Irish firm Down to Earth (smothered in eco-awards) can supply retailers with everything from tasting cups to cartons, wraps, bags and sandwiches boxes — there’s really no excuse in the fresh food and catering division.

- down2earchmaterials.ie.

Yes, some goods are tricky — try stuffing a whole chicken in a lunchbox.

Stop using plastic straws, buy your vegetables and fruit loose and give up on one-use plastic bottles — a totally ridiculous trend.

The ‘Turning the Tide on Plastics’ movement and UCCs adoption of Voice/Friends of the Earth’s/Sight of Plastic initiative, fighting for seas already churning with micro-plastics, should inspire all of us — it’s simple right versus wrong.

Dutch Supermarket Ekoplaza has introduced a plastic free aisle in an Amsterdam store of more than 700 products — a superb demonstration to the rest of Europe, that change is possible.

They are rolling out these aisles to all of their 74 outlets over the course of this year. With the help of Friends of the Earth as co-ordinators of the Shop and Drop campaign, in April shoppers across Ireland tore plastic from goods and left it in-store as a protest against unnecessary use of plastic packaging by retailers.

Some outlets are willing to make drop bins for plastic packaging purchased in their stores a permanent feature.

We don’t all have access to package free shops like The Minimal Waste Grocery in Dublin, but we do have some of the most magnificent farmers’ markets in the country in Munster. Bring your own bags, stainless steel boxes and coffee mugs in the car every day. Don’t waste any more time. Make your feelings known firmly and politely to errant retailers and let’s clean up our act one product at a time.

If you want to fine tune your recycling habits consider getting 30 or more souls together in your community or workplace for a talk or workshop around recycling of 15 - 60 minutes.

More information about the Recycling Ambassadors in your area at voiceirelan.org. Email: [e-mail].