This World Recycling Day, we are sounding the alarm: a single contaminated container can undo the good intentions of an entire household, and a third of Irish people don’t even know it.
According to our recent Recycling Knowledge Audit, 33% of people in Ireland are unaware that just one dirty bottle, tin, or container can contaminate a whole recycling bin. When asked, 24% of respondents incorrectly said that contamination doesn’t affect the whole bin, while a further 9% admitted they weren’t sure.
This lack of awareness is translating into real, measurable consequences. According to EPA, an estimated 127,000 tonnes of materials, around one quarter of all items placed in recycling bins each year, are incorrectly disposed of. Even more striking, is that 792,000 tonnes, or 66%, of the contents of Ireland’s general waste bins are in the wrong bin.
Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of Repak, explains:
“This World Recycling Day, Repak would like to remind people that prevention is better than cure. Make sure items are clean, dry and loose before placing them in the recycling bin. This means simply rinsing the items and letting them drip dry before placing them loosely into the recycling bin.
Recycling is a 100% game; it only takes one person to have an impact on the entire household’s good intentions. By following the simple rule of ‘Clean, Dry, Loose,’ people can play a vital part in helping us meet national recycling targets. These small but significant actions not only support our recycling efforts but also contribute to protecting our environment for future generations.”
Contaminated items that end up in recycling bins, such as food-soiled containers, wet paper, or mixed materials, can result in the rejection of entire loads.
We are here to guide and educate Irish consumers on sustainable habits! Remember to think clean, dry and loose and pop you waste in the right place.
Click here to learn how to recycle more and better!