The EPA produces national statistics on waste generation and management to meet legislative reporting obligations and to inform national policy development.
This release reports information on the recovery and recycling of waste packaging in Ireland in 2014.
Packaging is used to contain, protect and present goods and is made from materials such as glass, paper & cardboard, metals, plastic, wood, and composite materials (e.g. milk and juice cartons). The EU Packaging and Waste Packaging Directive (94/62/EC as amended) seeks to promote the recovery and recycling of packaging waste to reduce its environmental impact and encourage resource efficiency.
Key points
- Ireland met the EU targets for recovery and recycling of packaging waste in 2014.
- New ambitious targets for recycling of packaging waste are proposed under the European Commission’s Circular Economy Package for 2025 and 2030.
EPA – Waste Packaging Data 2014
Packaging waste material recycling and recovery rates compared to EU targets, 2014
| Material | EU recycling rate target
(Packaging Directive 94/62/EC as amended) |
Ireland’s recycling rate, 2014 |
| Glass | 60% by weight | 87% |
| Plastic | 22.5% by weight, counting exclusively material that is recycled back into plastics | 35% |
| Paper & Board | 60% by weight | 79% |
| Metals | 50% by weight | 81% |
| Wood | 15% by weight | 85% |
More Information
Waste Packaging Data 2014 Tables and Figures, 84kb
Eurostat Packaging waste statistics
Source: EPA
