Recycling Targets
As Ireland’s only compliance scheme for packaging recycling, over the past 20 years Repak has helped Ireland not only consistently achieve its EU recycling targets for the five main materials but significantly exceed all of these targets. We work closely with our Members, Recovery Operators, Government and Local Authorities nationwide, to drive best practice in waste management and to encourage everyone to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Recycling and Recovery Statistics 2021
As of June 2022, we announced that Ireland surpassed every recycling and recovery target set for it by the European Union for the twenty fourth year in a row* with recycling rates as follows:
- Plastic at 31% (EU target 22.5%)
- Paper at 84% (EU target 60%)
- Metals at 71% (EU target 50%)
- Glass at 86% (EU target: 60%)
- Wood at 69% (EU target 15%)
In total in 2021*, Repak funded the recovery and recycling of over 1 million tonnes of packaging waste, an increase of 17,202k tonnes on 2020 (1.7% increase) and the highest volume recorded ever in Ireland (*subject to verifcation by the EPA).
The Plastics Challenge
While Ireland is exceeding the current EU recycling target of 22.5% for plastics, with an estimated recycling rate of 31% in 2021, we must meet ambitious targets for plastics recycling of 50% in 2025 and 55% in 2030 under the Circular Economy and EU Legislation.
The table below details Plastic Packaging Waste managed in Ireland in 2021, showing that the percentage recycled was 31%.
| Plastic Packaging Waste 2021 | ||
|
Packaging Management |
Tonnes | % |
| Total Plastic Packaging | 315,805 | 100 |
| Plastic Recycled | 96,412 | 31 |
Plastic Strategy 2030
Launched in 2018, with RPS Consultants, this strategy sets out 35 key actions required across all stakeholder groups, aimed at informing policy and driving change, to help Ireland achieve challenging new EU recycling targets.
Repak Members’ Plastic Pledge
Over 140 of Ireland’s largest producers have committed to five key objectives which encompass prioritising the prevention of plastic packaging waste, minimising avoidable single use packaging and promoting packaging reuse.
Repak Team Green
Launched in 2018, Repak Team Green calls on to everyone in Ireland to recycle more and better when we work as a team. Over 26,000 individuals have joined Team Green pledging to protect the environment.