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Repak is encouraging Irish householders not to fall into
bad recycling habits over the Christmas holiday season.
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Overall, Repak estimates that Irish householders will
generate approximately 220,000 tonnes of household waste
(or 150 kilos per household) over the Christmas period.
A third of this household waste - or 75,000 tonnes
- is used packaging, the equivalent of 51 kilos of used
packaging per household, or two-thirds the weight of
an average Irish male.
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Repak
is targeting to collect and recycle between 45-50% (c 35,000
tonnes) of the used packaging generated over the holiday period.
Last year, Repak helped fund the recycling/recovery of 34,000
tonnes.
According to Repak, Irish recyclers have picked up some bad
habits when it comes to recycling around Christmas. In the
findings to a recent survey, Repak found that -
- 87% see littering at a Bring Bank as a problem, but 57%
of these people admitted to leaving recyclable on the ground
at a full bring bank - therein themselves contributing to
the littering and leaving themselves open to prosecution.
- 88% will keep going to the same location for recycling.
- 65% admit they do not know all of the recycling facilities
in their area
- 62% of adults have turned up at a recycling centre to
only find it closed outside of opening hours.
Research also revealed that, when recycling and they found
a bring bank full:
- 45% admitted to leaving recyclables on the ground
- 74% claimed they would look to find another recycling
location.
The survey also showed that 87% of those surveyed would welcome
having recycling information available on their phone.
Repak’s Recyclemore Smartphone App - bringing recycling
to your fingers
Created by Repak in conjunction with all of the 34 local authorities,
the Android and iPhone application lists all of the 2,000
bottle banks and recycling centre facilities nationally in
the 26 counties.
This new App is in response to research conducted by Repak
which showed 87% of people claimed they would find it useful
to have access to recycling centre opening times, material
accepted and locations on their phone. The key feature of
the app is GPS locator allowing users to identify their nearest
recycling facility while out and about and map their way to
it through Google maps.
The Recyclemore app can be found on the iTunes store or Android
Market or directly from Repak’s Recyclemore.ie website
To celebrate the launch of the new App, Repak are giving away
a new Samsung Galaxy S through its Facebook
Page Recyclemore.
Dr. Andrew Hetherington, CEO, Repak said - “Despite the severe
weather last year, we recovered and recycled over 34,000 tonnes
of used packaging which was a huge success. During the Christmas
period, people will typically have more to recycle - and,
without information as to their nearest recycling centres
festive opening times or alternative bottle banks at a time
of high demand, they can find recycling a frustrating experience.
"We developed the smartphone Recyclemore app on iPhone
and Android, to help people easily access information on recycling
centres and alternative bring banks within easy reach. This
information is also available on our website Recyclemore.ie,
making recycling more convenient and accessible to all.”
In targeting to drive packaging recycling, Repak will be
communicating the recycling message and promoting the recyclemore
app online, through their Facebook page and Recyclmore website,
as well as using traditional media such as national and local
radio, including outdoor advertising.
Full details of Green Christmas recycling centres, their
opening hours, local contractor collection information and
Christmas tree recycling drop-off points is available at www.recyclemore.ie
Tips to a Greener Christmas
As well as making an extra effort to recycle more of your
Christmas packaging, have a greener Christmas by keeping the
following in mind:
10 Tips to better packaging recycling -
- Buy items with less packaging where possible.
- Fold your used wrapping paper and squash all boxes before
recycling to save space in your recycle bin.
- Recycle used sweet and biscuit tins.
- Wash and rinse all recyclables
- Recycle your used jars - mince pie mix, mayonnaise, pickled
vegetables etc.
- Recycle your used Clear Plastic Trays for fruit and vegetables.
These are usually PET and can be recycled in dry recyclable
bins.
- Recycle your used aluminium from - take-away trays, mince
pies trays etc
- Recycle glass bottles such as wine, spirit and beer bottles
as well as aluminium beer cans
- No need to worry about sellotape on wrapping paper, this
can be recycled also
- Christmas Crackers and Christmas cards are all recyclable.
When visiting a bring bank -
- Ensure segregate colour correctly
- Don’t necessarily rush out after Christmas to drop off
your bottles/cans - these can wait
- Do not leave recyclables on the ground - this slows down
collections and is littering and can be prosecuted
- Find your nearest recycling centre and opening hours
through Recyclemore.ie or the apps
- Remember to recycle from around the house - bathroom,
livingroom, etc.
Tips to saving food - Visit stopfoodwaste.ie
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- Store food at correct temperature
- Watch 'Best Before' dates
- Watch fruit and veg closely and remove rotten fruit early
- Shop more often and buy less
- Plan your meals and shop to this plan rather than buying
randomly - never shop on an empty stomach
- Don’t over purchase or overcook food portions over Christmas
- Make the most of Christmas left-overs - Risotto, Curries,
Sandwiches, Omelettes, etc.
- Use your fridge/freezer wisely - rotate food, check BB
regularly, freeze left-overs for later use, etc.
- Learn portion control - don’t eat with your eyes
- Recycle food waste by separating in a compost bin or
household food waste bin. Don’t put cooked foods in regular
garden compost bins.
Reducing impact waste electrical items -
- Do not put batteries or electrical waste in your household
bins.
- Return used batteries to the outlet you bought them from
- Return old electrical items to your local recycling centre
or return to shop on a like-for-like basis
- Recycle your used mobile phone through many charities
like Jack and Jill foundation or local charity shops
- Purchase reusable batteries where possible
- Repair where possible rather than replace broken electrical
items
- Recycle or donate old computers to charities like Rehab
Recycle who re condition and resell/reuse these
- Trade any unwanted WEEE waste on Freetradeireland.ie
- Bring good unbroken toys to local housing refuge centres
or charity.
If you have a real Christmas tree, you can recycle it at
one of the many designated Christmas tree recycling centres
around the country. Check opening hours and locations with
your local authority or use the recycling facility search
on www.recyclemore.ie
or on the Recyclemore app.
Repak is a not for profit producer responsibility scheme
for recycling used packaging funded by packaging levies charged
to participating members companies.
Since 1997, Repak has invested €225 million in supporting
packaging recycling in Ireland. In total, Repak has diverted
over 5.7 million tonnes of used packaging from landfill since
1998 and has helped grow packaging recycling from under 15%
in 1998 to nearly 65% in 2010.
Ireland is now ranked eighth of the EU 27 in terms of packaging
recycling according to the latest Eurostats figures.
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