Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

412 Chapter 15: Circular Economy and Waste Figure 15.8  Trends in waste generation (tonnes) and modified gross national income, 2012–2021 ˜ Total waste generation (Kilotonnes) ˜ Modified gross national income at current market prices (Euro Million) 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000 2021 2020 2018 2016 2014 2012 0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 Kilotonnes € Million Source: EPA, 2023b 14 For the most up-to-date statistics on waste generation and management in Ireland, see www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring-- assessment/waste/national-waste-statistics (accessed 24 June 2024). Households, offices, schools and similar premises generated 3.2 million tonnes of municipal waste 14 in 2021, 41% of which was recycled. In 2021, 1.2 million tonnes of packaging waste was generated, an increase of 9% from the previous year (and an increase of 25% since 2016). Although recycling tonnages are increasing, improvements in recycling rates are being cancelled out by the increasing amount of waste generated. The amount of municipal waste recycled has increased by 11% since 2016, but total municipal waste generated also increased by 11%, resulting in a static recycling rate of 41%. The recycling rate of packaging waste has increased by 8% since 2016. However, this is just one-third of the rate of the increase in packaging waste generated (25%). Consequently, the packaging recycling rate decreased from 62% in 2020 to 58% in 2021. Current trends (Figure 15.9) mean that the statutory targets for 2025 are likely to be missed. Reducing packaging waste generation is key to improving the current trends. Measures needed include avoiding packaging where possible; improving product design, including using lightweighting materials and more recyclable materials; and increasing the use of reusable products in supply chains, supported by targeted fiscal incentives. Food waste. Food waste can occur at any point along the food supply chain, from primary production to processing and manufacturing, from retail and distribution (unsold stock) to restaurants, and food services (food uneaten by customers) and households (purchased food uneaten). It is a global problem that has environmental, social and economic consequences. The urgency and challenge of addressing food waste is highlighted at the international level through Target 12.3 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN, 2020), which states: ‘By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post- harvest losses.’ Tackling food waste is one of the key steps that we can take to achieve sustainability, to help combat climate change and to support the transition to a circular economy and bioeconomy (see ‘Bioeconomy’). The EPA estimates that Ireland generated over 753,000 tonnes of food waste in 2021, a decrease of 2% from 2020. Approximately 29% of the total comes from households, another 29% from the processing and manufacturing sector, and the remainder comes from restaurants and food service (25%), primary production (7%) and retail and other distribution of food (10%).