Repak surpassed all EU targets for recycling and waste recovery in 2021 for the 24th consecutive year while progressing the implementation of several requirements outlined in the Circular Economy Package, Single Use Plastics Directives, and the Programme for Government.
Member companies of not-for-profit organisation, which helps businesses to meet their recycling obligations, achieved an overall recycling rate of 66% and a recovery rate of 96% last year, surpassing the EU targets of 65% and 75%, respectively.
Repak recycled and recovered 1,020,580 tonnes of packaging material, the third time is has exceeded the 1m tonnes mark in a year with recycling up 15,638 tonnes or 2.2% to 718,683 tonnes, driven by a 4% increase in household recycling volumes.
The group also funded the recovery of 302,000 tonnes of packaging, which was down by 33,000 tonnes or 10% from 2020 due to the diverting of more material of recycling.
Plastic accounted for 96,412 tonnes of recycled and recovered materials, up 8% year-on-year, and the overall plastic recycling rate rose from 29% to 31%. Repak also funded an additional €3.8m for certified recycling of plastic packaging, resulting in additional 7,291 tonnes of plastic being recycled.
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Repak exceeded EU recycling targets for all materials, including glass, with a recycling rate of 86% against the EU target of 60%; metal (71% v 50%); paper (84% v 60%); plastic (31% v 22.5%), and wood (69% v 15%).
Paper recycling rose 5,575 tonnes from 2020, but recycling glass (6,361 tonnes) and steel (1,827 tonnes) declined year-on-year due to prolonged closures of businesses caused by Covid-19.
"2021 was another year of major challenges for our members, recovery operators and the staff of Repak in managing the pandemic," Séamus Clancy, CEO of Repak. "However, once again I am pleased to announce, that despite the continuation of difficult operational conditions, the waste packaging recycling sector operated efficiently and in unison to ensure continuity of service resulting in positive results across key materials in 2021.
"Ireland has been a leading nation in waste management for the last 23 years, surpassing all targets to date, but we are now reaching a critical juncture. Policy created to achieve future recycling targets is now being implemented and this demands an evolution of how we manage our packaging waste.
"To date, excellent progress has been made in implementing key legislative requirements and this is with thanks to the significant work done by Repak to progress policy in a financially prudent and innovative manner.”
The Repak membership fell slightly, from 3,431 to 3,414, in 2021. Any businesses with more than €1m in annual turnover that places 10 tonnes of packaging on the Irish market per year is obligated to be responsible for its packaging and can join Repak.
Photo: Séamus Clancy (left) and businesswoman Chanelle McCoy. (Pic: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland)
