Household recycling jumps 49%, says Repak

Household recycling was up by 49 per cent - or 50,000 tonnes - in 2002, according to waste compliance scheme Repak.

Households now account for 15 per cent of the nationwide total, which has risen by approximately 40 per cent, up to 323,000 tonnes.

If every household fully engaged in recycling, we could see a figure nearly three or four times what was reported in 2002. Repak CEO, Mr Andrew Hetherington

The figures equate to a total of 198 million glass bottles, 87 million aluminium drinks cans, 15 million food cans and more than 30 million plastic bottles.

Despite the figures emphasising progress made by the improvements to the recycling infrastructure they do show that Ireland is still some way off EU targets of 50 per cent.

The necessity for figures to continue to grow was emphasised by Minister for the Environment Martin Cullen, who said: "This is encouraging but not a green light to ease up. The mindset is changing. Government investment in recycling facilities is proving effective.

"Recycling is the central plank to solving our waste management crisis," the Minister added.

Mr Cullen reasserted his commitment to recycling, pointing to the recent investments made by the Department to the scheme.

"I hope to bring forward further imaginative measures to enhance access to recycling facilities in the coming weeks. The €55 Environment Fund demonstrates my commitment to plough money into recycling facilities. With facilities in place, there can be no more excuses", Mr Cullen concluded.

290,000 households in Ireland are currently serviced by kerbside recycling after last year's investment of €15 million, accounting for just one third of the country's private residences.

Whereas 850 new sites were added last year nationally at a cost of €3.9 million, the addition will account for just 30,000 tonnes nationwide presuming they are used to the full by surrounding communities.

Repak CEO, Mr Andrew Hetherington, pointed out that the facility is there to build on these figures and possibly treble or quadruple last year's total.

"Over one third of all households now have access to household recycling collection facilities, and with over 1400 bring banks and over 50 civic amenity sites around the country recycling has been made easier," said Mr Hetherington.

"In order to come near to our European partners in recycling people need to use the available facilities more.

"If every household fully engaged in recycling," he added, "we could see a figure nearly three or four times what was reported in 2002.

He added: "Progress is clearly evident but room for improvement is ample with the reality being that the average Irish household recycles a mere 13 steel food cans and 26 plastic bottles per year."