Ireland's Levels Of Waste "Unsustainable"

Monday, 6 December 2021 11:33

Waste increases, recycling rate drops

Ireland's increasing levels of waste are "unsustainable", that's according to the Environmental Protection Agency's 'National Waste Statistics Summary Report 2019'.

The report revealed Ireland's municipal waste increased by 6% in 2019, to 3.4 million tonnes - waste from households accounted for 1.6 million tonnes.

Municipal waste recycling decreased by 1% to 37%.

Packaging recycling waste decreased by 2% to 62%.

Almost half of municipal waste was incinerated - 46%.

Packaging waste also increased, by 11%, to 1.1 million tonnes.

The majority of packaging waste was incinerated, 69%.

The report notes the trend/inclination towards incineration continued.

The need for urgent action is highlighted, if Ireland is to meet its ambitious EU recycling targets.

On Monday, Senior Scientist with the EPA, Tara Higgins, joined Clem Ryan on 'Kildare Today':

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