Waste that's bin trashing efforts

Wrong items in recycling a big headache

- KEITH FALKINER

IRELAND has come a long way in terms of recycling waste in recent years.

But research has shown that many members of the public are still completely in the dark about how their efforts can be undone by putting the wrong thing in the wrong bin.

A study by Repak to mark World Recycling Day found a third of people were unaware that just one dirty bottle, tin, or container can contaminate a whole recycling bin.

Contaminated items that end up in recycling bins, such as food-soiled containers, wet paper, or mixed materials, can result in the rejection of entire loads.

When asked, 24% of respondents incorrectly said that contamination doesn't affect the whole bin, while a further 9% admitted they weren't sure.

This lack of awareness is translating into real, measurable consequences.

According to the EPA, an estimated 127,000 tonnes of materials, around one quarter of all items placed in recycling bins each year, are incorrectly disposed of.

Even more striking, is that 792,000 tonnes of the contents of Ireland's general waste bins are in the wrong bin.

LAZY