New recycling audit highlights major mistakes being made by Irish households

A major new survey of people's recycling habits across the country has found that almost half of those who responded were not able to accurately identify what can actually be recycled in household bins.

While nearly 90% of people believe they are doing a great job, the reality is much different when it comes to understanding the dos and don'ts of recycling.

Commissioned by Repak, the audit, which surveyed over 2,000 people, tested respondents on their knowledge of recycling rules and ability to segregate waste correctly.

Although nearly 30% of participants rated themselves a perfect 10 out of 10 for recycling knowledge, the average national score was just 64%, equivalent to a C2 in the old grading school system or a current H4. 

"Our Recycling Knowledge Audit has revealed a significant gap between perceived recycling knowledge and the reality of recycling practices across Ireland. While many believe they’re doing the right thing, a national average score of 64% shows that we are not where we need to be—recycling is a 100% game. Education is crucial to ensure the public understands what can and cannot be recycled, but this is only one part of the solution," commented Zoe Kavanagh of Repak.

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Some examples of common items which households are not recycling correctly include cereal boxes, deodorant cans and bleach bottles.

*Cereal Boxes: 41% disposed of these incorrectly; the right method is to separate the plastic cereal bag, flatten the box, and recycle both. 

*Deodorant Cans: Just 43% correctly identified them as recyclable items.

*Bleach Bottles: Only 29% knew the correct way to dispose of them—ensuring the bottle is empty, with the lid on, and placed in the recycling bin. 

Repak says its audit also highlighted the lack of proper waste segregation systems beyond the household. While many homes have embraced the three-bin system for recycling, organic waste, and general waste, the same cannot be said for workplaces.

According to the results, 40% of respondents said their workplace lacks a three-bin system or that they are unsure whether one is in place.

While better public education is critical, Repak is stressing that responsibility does not lie solely with consumers. The audit findings have prompted a renewed call for improved commercial recycling infrastructure and enhanced recycling capacity.

"We need a comprehensive approach that addresses both consumer habits and systemic infrastructure issues," said a spokesperson for Repak who added: "Education without action is like recycling without proper bins—it’s just not going to work."