A study published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2018 found that 70% of the contents of the average commercial waste bin could be diverted to recycling. This represents a massive loss of potentially recyclable material and an unnecessarily high cost to businesses, whose waste charges would be lowered through proper segregation. Improved waste segregation in the commercial sector can also make a significant contribution to achieving our EU recycling targets. Ireland faces challenging targets under the EU Waste Framework Directive for recycling municipal solid waste (MSW) of 55% by 2025, 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035. The most recent figures from the EPA show that we achieved a rate of 41% in 2020.

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, has signed new legislation to introduce incentivised charging for waste collection in the commercial sector. The Waste Management (Collection Permit) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023 will come into effect on 1 July 2023.

A national campaign will commence in July 2023 and will initially focus on guidance from waste collectors to their businesses, followed later in the year on promoting further opportunities on what business can do.

Click here for a list of recyclable waste materials permitted to be placed in the mixed dry recyclable bin.