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 2019
As of June 2021, we announced that Ireland surpassed every recycling and recovery target set for it by the European Union for the twenty third year in a row* with recycling rates as follows:
- Plastic at 29.3% (EU target 22.5%)
- Paper at 79% (EU target 60%)
- Metals at 70% (EU target 50%)
- Glass at 87% (EU target: 60%)
- Wood at 61% (EU target 15%)
In total in 2020*, Repak funded the recovery and recycling of over 1 million tonnes of packaging waste, an increase of 30k tonnes on 2019 (2.9% 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 29.3% in 2020, 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 2020, showing that the percentage recycled was 29.3%.
| Plastic Packaging Waste 2019 | ||
|
Packaging Management |
Tonnes | % |
| Total Plastic Packaging | 317, 131 | 100 |
| Plastic Recycled | 92,919 | 29.3 |
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 125 of Ireland’s largest producers have signed up, pledging to five key objectives aimed at reducing plastic packaging and making packaging more recyclable, while minimising food waste.
Repak Team Green
Launched during Repak Recycling Week 2018, Team Green is Repak’s rallying call to everyone in Ireland to reduce, reuse and recycle more materials, especially plastic. Over 11,500 individuals and over 200 businesses have now joined Team Green, committing to recycling at least one more piece of plastic a day.
