Most of us, no matter how experienced we are at recycling at home, come across something from time to time that we don’t know what to do with. Here is expert advice on what and how to recycle – and how to avoid packaging altogether.
Prevention is better than cure
Waste is a symptom of a dysfunctional commerce system that doesn’t factor in the full cost of disposing of discarded materials, says Elaine Butler, founder of Living Lightly in Ireland, a sustainable living guide with all the information needed to live a greener life.
“Legislation from Europe is set to change this but it will take time, and we don’t really know if we have enough time for it to prevent the worst of the climate crisis. Currently, taxpayers are footing the bill for cleaning up the damage caused by our exploitative economic models. So we may think we’re benefiting from less expensive food and clothing, but we’re really not, we’re just paying for it through a different route.”
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Butler is a proponent of tackling the problem before it even crosses your door.
“The best way to reduce waste is to change how you shop. If you only shop in supermarkets your ability to avoid waste and save on waste bills is minimal. Instead, we divert the money we would have spent on bin charges towards organic or low-impact Irish growers and independent zero-waste stores.
“You’ll also find that avoiding processed food is one of the easiest ways to avoid packaging. It’s also good for your pocket and your waistline!”
She says that buying from Irish producers is a step towards avoiding packaging.
“If you can buy direct you might be able to avoid packaging completely, but even if it’s through a store, at least we’re closer to the source and so can influence their future packaging decisions.”
The plastic plague
Often there’s no getting around packaging – particularly plastic, which seems to be ubiquitous.
“There are ambitious recycling targets for plastic of 50 per cent by 2025 and 55 per cent by 2030,” says Laura Sherry, head of marketing at Repak. “We need everyone’s help to achieve these.”
Substantial progress is being made and the work of the public, businesses and waste industry is paying off, with plastic recycling increasing to 31 per cent (2021) and forecasted to be at 34 per cent by the end of 2022.
Moving from a linear economy to a circular economy is a key focus, says Sherry.
“A linear economy generally extracts materials from our planet, makes something from those materials and when we are finished with what we have made, we dispose of it. The reasons for this disposal are multifaceted. However how we design our products and packaging can play a significant role in their premature demise.
“Ultimately this loss of valuable materials from our economy is both wasteful and costly and it is now well-recognised that it is no longer sustainable as we move forward. We need to live in a circular economy keeping our materials in use as much as possible. Recycling is a key step in helping us live in a circular economy.”
What can be recycled
There is often confusion surrounding the material type that can be placed in household recycling bins, says Sherry.
“Paper, cardboard, foil, tins, cans and all plastics (rigid and soft) can all go into the recycling bin. The most common items that are not accepted and are wrongly placed into household recycling bins include nappies, wipes, bags of ash, clothes and garden waste.
“Such items contaminate a recycling bin, affecting other items for recycling and cause huge problems for staff and machinery trying to sort household recycling bin waste at waste facilities. Therefore, it is important that people know what items can and cannot be recycled and dispose of their packaging in the correct bin.”
Additionally, all plastics can now go into the recycling bin. This means items such as bread wrappers, fruit/veg and salad wraps and bags, kitchen/toilet roll outer wrap and breakfast cereal bags.
“It’s very important to ensure that all items are clean, dry and loose before being placed into the recycling bin. This is the first step people need to do to protect the environment for future generations. Every year approximately 30 per cent of the items placed in recycling bins in Ireland are items that are not allowed in the recycling bin.
Businesses input is imperative
Of course, it’s not just at home that recycling needs to happen. Businesses are essential in the battle to reduce waste and recycle properly. Sherry says the introduction of soft plastics in household recycling has supported greater plastic recycling but, for some businesses, progress can still be made to ensure higher recycling of plastics at commercial premises. Ensuring a business has a three bin system will yield more plastic recycling.
“Working with colleagues can increase the positive impact of waste reduction initiatives,” says Butler.
“It could be a Halloween costume or Christmas jumper swap or prizes for people or teams who bring in the most package-free lunches or use the least disposable coffee cups. To achieve this you really need a group of people working together.”