Irish government achieves EU recycling target three years early
The Irish government has today confirmed that the authorities have reached their EU recycling target an amazing three years ahead of schedule. It seems as though the 9.5% increase in recycling this year has pushed the country over its EU target with over 700,000 tonnes of waste recycled in Ireland alone last year.
It was also revealed that approximately two-thirds of all packaging in Ireland is recycled with significant cost savings on the energy front and the raw material front. This is an amazing achievement by the Irish authorities at a time when the recession has impacted upon business and consumers up and down the country. The fact that the authorities have been able to maintain their focus on recycling, even in this most difficult economic climates, is a testament to their determination.
The EU authorities had set a fairly optimistic target for many EU member states and the fact that the Irish government have achieved their target three years early will place more pressure on the likes of the UK, France and Germany. Surprisingly enough, there has been significant progress in each of these markets and on the whole there has been a real push on the recycling front right across Europe.
As and when the European economy pulls out of recession we should hopefully see a further increase in recycling rates.
