How much waste are we currently generating?
- 3.2 million tonnes of municipal waste was generated in Ireland in 2021. That’s equivalent to 644kg per person. The European average is 527kg per person.
- 41% of waste in Ireland is currently recycled versus a current European Union target of 50% with an increased target of 55% by 2025 and 60% by 2030.
- 753,00 tonnes of food waste was generated in Ireland in 2021. The target is to halve this waste by 2030.
- 1.2 million tonnes of packaging waste was generated in Ireland in 2021 with 58% recycled compared to the European Union target of 55% however only 28% of plastic packaging was recycled with a target of 50% by 2025.
- An estimated 170,000 tonnes of textile waste is generated in Ireland per year. This equates to 35 kg per person per year – or three and a half carry on airline bags.
What is a circular economy?
Circularity means keeping materials in use for longer. In a circular economy, products and materials are kept in circulation, through processes like maintaining, repairing, reusing, refurbishing, remanufacturing, recycling and composting.
What is Municipal Waste?
In our everyday lives we produce a general mix of waste in our homes, offices, schools and similar premises. This type of waste is called municipal waste. It is usually collected at kerbside or we can bring it to collection centres. Municipal Waste includes:
- Residual (i.e. black bin) waste e.g. waste that cannot be recycled
- Recyclable (i.e. green bin) waste e.g. glass, plastic, paper & board, metals
- Organic (i.e. brown bin) waste e.g. food and garden waste
- Bulky waste e.g. waste that cannot fit in a wheelie bin such as broken furniture, carpets, toys
- Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Waste Management in Ireland
The Waste Management Act 1996 requires Local Authorities to make a waste management plan either individually or collectively for their functional areas. In 2015 local authorities established three Regional Waste Management Planning Offices to develop and implement three regional waste management plans on their behalf. Following an evaluation, it was recommended that a single national plan be prepared to replace the existing regional plans. This Plan has been developed through collaboration with key partners and stakeholders and guided by National and European Union policy.
The key partners to the collaboration are the Local Authority Sector, represented by the County and City Managers Association, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the Environmental Protection Agency. Proactive engagement with other key stakeholders was facilitated through thematic workshops and public consultations, while input from the local authority sector was achieved through established Regional groupings. The development of the Plan was overseen by a National Oversight Group established by the Local Authority Sector to ensure that sectoral obligations were met while embracing national waste policy. Policy responses and actions emerged from this collaborative process and have been embedded in Volume II of the Plan.
Who is responsible for delivering this Plan?
Responsibility for key deliverables has been allocated to the key partners for the delivery of waste policy namely the Local Authority Sector, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Environmental Protection Agency. Oversight of the delivery of the Plan will be provided by the County and City Management Association on behalf of the Local Authority Sector and by the National Coordinating Group for Waste and the Circular Economy on behalf of the key partners. Regional oversight will be provided by established regional waste steering committees consisting of representatives from each local authority area.
How will progress be measured?
This Plan recognises Climate Change as a key driver for both behavioural change and improved waste management practices. The Plan will be evaluated annually for climate impact and annual work plans will be adapted to respond to the climate challenge.
