29% of Irish workers have reported that their workplaces are failing to meet recycling laws.

Irish businesses are being urged to fulfil their legal recycling obligations by properly segregating waste through the national three-bin system and adopting sustainable waste management practices.

Research from Repak (Ireland's leading environmental not-for-profit organisation) has highlighted a significant gap in workplace recycling practices.

The research revealed that 40% of Irish people report their workplace is either non-compliant with the national three-bin requirement or unsure of their compliance status.

Of that 40% - 29% acknowledge their workplace is non-compliant, while 11% were uncertain about whether their workplace meets the required standards.

Central focus

With these findings in mind, Repak’s Resolve to Recycle Better campaign is encouraging businesses and consumers to make improved recycling habits a central focus of their January New Year’s resolutions.

Repak CEO Zoe Kavanagh stressed the urgency of the initiative, saying that “every business in Ireland” has a “duty to meet the three-bin requirement”, not just because it is a legal requirement, but because it is “critical to Ireland’s environmental goals”.

“By failing to recycle properly, workplaces are not only failing to meet commercial recycling regulations but are also undermining Ireland’s efforts to create a circular economy and achieve future EU recycling targets,” she said.

“We believe workplaces can lead the charge toward sustainability and Resolve to Recycle Better initiative is designed to support them every step of the way.

“This January, we are calling on businesses to Resolve to Recycle Better and become compliant with Ireland’s three-bin policy.”

Proper segregation

Since July 2023, every business in Ireland must have bins for residual waste, mixed dry recyclables, and bio-waste.

This facilitates the proper segregation of packaging waste by material type.

“Despite an increase of €1,000,000 additional commercial funding in 2024, commercial plastic recycling has dropped,” Repak said.

Ireland’s 2025 recycling targets require the country to recycle at least 55% of all plastic packaging waste.

According to the environmental organisation: “Businesses are pivotal in achieving these goals, and Repak is committed to providing the expertise and resources needed to help them succeed.”

For further information or access to recycling resources, visit Repak.ie.

Card and glass bottles in recycling bins ready for collection, 14-8-17. Image: Steve Hawkins Photography / Alamy