Ireland’s burgeoning reliance on plastic has been laid bare, with figures showing about 70% of it being burned instead of recycled. Plastic packaging waste incinerated for energy recovery has grown year on year from 44% in 2017 to 69% in 2019, the EPA said. Any increase in plastic packaging recycled is offset by an even greater increase in packaging waste being generated and incinerated, the agency added. The European Commission’s data analysis arm, Eurostat, has said Ireland has the highest plastic waste generation, far higher than the EU average. The new rules on soft plastic would be a benefit, she added.

Source: Irish Examiner September 10, 2021 04:52 UTC