Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

406 Chapter 15: Circular Economy and Waste Topic Box 15.1  Focus on household waste In 2021, 1.81 million tonnes of household waste were managed in Ireland. This equates to 361 kg/person, up from 314 kg/person in 2018. There has been an overall increase in the amount of household waste managed per capita in Ireland since 2010 (EPA, 2022), with a pronounced increase in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Figure 15.3). The challenge for Ireland is to reverse this trend and reduce waste growth per capita. Figure 15.3  Household waste managed and consumption of goods and services, 2010–2021 ˜ Household waste managed ˜ Personal consumption of goods & services 0 200000 400000 600000 800000 1000000 1200000 1400000 1600000 1800000 2000000 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 TONNES € BILLIONS Source: Adapted from EPA, 2023b The overall growth in household waste is concerning and is strongly related to high levels of consumption. Waste produced by households needs proper management, defined by good separation of materials to support and increase recycling rates. There is an opportunity for consistent segregation practices to ensure that recyclables and food waste are separated from residual waste. Waste characterisation surveys 5 have found that only 36% of the materials found in black bins should have been placed there (Figure 15.4). The other 64% should have been separated and collected through the organic bin, dry recyclables bin or bring bank system. 5 www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring--assessment/waste/national-waste-statistics/waste-characterisation/ (accessed 24 June 2024).