Ireland is expected to generate 86,000 tonnes of packaging waste this Christmas, according to a recent study from Repak, which an increase of 3,000 tonnes from the previous year.
However, 38% of respondents feel that they are a better recycler at home than at work.
Already, a significant number of workplaces have a full recycling bin before the festive season kicked off.
Repak has called on these businesses to pledge their support to Team Green, its latest initiative, by applying their good recycling behaviour at home to how they recycle in the workplace.
Work & Home Recycling
When it comes to recycling, 1 in 10 people admit that they have a different attitude to recycling when in work.
According to the report, this is because they don’t have to worry about getting rid of the waste that they generate.
However, almost two thirds (65%) said that they would be more inclined to work for an environmentally-friendly organisation.
“We are a nation of keen recyclers at home, but research has shown that for some Irish people, there is a difference in their behaviour when it comes to recycling in the workplace,” CEO of Repak, Séamus Clancy, said.
“If everyone took the same approach to recycling at work as they do at home, it would greatly support Ireland’s recycling levels. Reaching the recycling targets that have been set for Ireland over the coming years will be no small task and commercial businesses will have a vital role to play in getting us there.”
According to Repak, Ireland is leading the pack in terms of packaging recycling in the EU, surpassing every target.
However, by 2025 plastic recycling rates will increase from the current target of 22.5% (we are currently recycling 36% of all plastics) to an ambitious 50% and then to 55% by 2030.
“By uniting as a Team Green community, we can all work together as environmental champions and continue to grow Ireland’s reputation as a European leader for packaging recycling,” Clancy said.
© 2018 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
