Irish people deposited 44 million bottles and jars in bottle banks last year, according to Rehab Recycling Partnership. The country's best glass-recyclers are in Cork where an average of 27 bottles and jars were banked by every man, woman and child, compared with 18 in Dublin, which is in second place.
Irish people are now recycling 46 per cent of their glass, more than double the UK rate of 22 per cent. However, said Rehab, Ireland is far behind top performers such as Switzerland, at 89 per cent, and Germany, at 81 per cent.
"Seven years ago Ireland was at the bottom of this European league with a recycling rate of less than 20 per cent, and in that context the level we are at now is satisfactory," said Rehab Recycling Partnership's marketing manager, Ms Greta Hickey.