EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Ireland’s Environment – An Integrated Assessment 2020 Topic Box 9.2 Focus on Packaging Waste EPA characterisation studies have found that packaging waste accounts for one-third of all household waste collected at the kerbside and the proportion of packaging has increased in the last decade. Almost two-thirds of plastic packaging found in kerbside bins is not on Ireland’s recycling list (including soft plastics such as films and wrappers) and ends up in the residual bin, which is disposed of to landfill or sent for energy recovery (EPA, 2018b). Circular economy legislation is introducing higher recycling targets from 2025 onwards, which will be a challenge to meet, given that recycling rates for overall packaging and plastic packaging have been declining, coinciding with an increase in the quantity of packaging sent for energy recovery. In 2018 less than one third of plastic packaging waste was recycled (82,000 tonnes was recycled and 170,000 tonnes incinerated with energy recovery). Figure 9.7 shows that plastic and metal packaging are at the greatest distance from achieving future targets based on current rates. Urgent action is needed to reduce unnecessary packaging, increase the recyclability of packaging placed on the market and maximise recycling of waste packaging. Figure 9.7  Recycling of packaging waste streams in 2018 relative to current and future targets (Source: EPA) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 2018 recycling rate (%) Paper & cardboard Plastic Wood Glass All packaging Metals Ferrous Non-ferrous Current recycling target 2025 recycling target 2030 recycling target Sewage Sludge Sewage sludge is mainly used as a soil improver or fertiliser on agricultural land. In 2019, wastewater treatment plants produced 58,630 tonnes of sewage sludge (Table 9.2). Sludge is rich in nutrients and is primarily used as a soil improver or fertiliser on agricultural land. All sludge sent for composting was subsequently used in agriculture (EPA, 2020b). Radioactive Waste Management A further reduction in the national inventory of disused radioactive sources has been achieved. In 2011, 63 licensees held over 3300 disused radioactive sources (with half-lives greater than 10 years). This reduced to 16 disused sources by 2019, representing a 99 per cent reduction. Through legislative requirements and enhanced regulatory enforcement, it is expected that this number will trend towards zero by 2021. Radioactive waste is exported, as there is no treatment capacity in Ireland. Importation of radioactive waste is prohibited. 232