CLEAN Ireland Recycling is urging Clare householders to double down on their recycling efforts, advising that there are potential environmental and cost benefits for the billpayer.
An EU directive set an ambitious target for Ireland which would see 55 per cent of all waste being recycled by 2025. This target increases to 60 per cent by 2030 and 65 per cent by 2035. In Ireland currently just over 40 per cent of waste is disposed of in a recyclable manner, accounting for traditional recycling bins, food waste bins and bottle bins.
County Clare – where Clean Ireland Recycling is the main operator – is among the top performing counties in Ireland when it comes to recycling rates among domestic and commercial customers but more is needed.
Customers of Clean Ireland Recycling pay a lower premium on recyclable materials when disposed of correctly and General Manager, Brian Lyons is advising householders to take advantage of the potential cost-savings while also being kind to the environment.
However, speaking about the EU targets, Mr Lyons says that more can be done to improve our recycling habits. “They are ambitious targets when you consider that general waste is normally the heavier waste stream, and as a country, we’re falling behind [these targets]. The main message to get across to customers is, make sure that there’s no material in your waste bin that should be in your recycling bin, your food bin, or glass bin and all of these will count towards the recycling rate.”
Head of Administration and Customer Service, Michelle Nagle explains that every Clean Ireland Recycling customer has been provided with a food waste bin, adding, “It’s important to note that what goes into the food bin is actually recycling. So, when we talk about recycling we often talk about paper, cardboard and plastic, but the segregated food waste is also recycling.”
The primary rule for using your recycling bin is ‘clean, loose and dry’ and Brian says this is the best advice to heed when disposing of any recyclable material such as plastic bottles, cans, cardboard, paper, etc. “While we’re focusing on helping to increase the recycling rate, we have to be cognisant of not contaminating the recycling bin with material that shouldn’t be in it. So, the simple message of ‘clean, loose and dry’ still holds true”
Michelle adds that the cost benefits are enough to incentivise customers of Clean Ireland Recycling to get behind positive recycling habits. “The most expensive waste stream to treat is always the general waste. Recycling and food waste are a fraction of that cost for Clean Ireland Recycling customers. Diverting appropriate materials away from the general waste bin will have benefits for both the environment and your pocket”
Clean Ireland Recycling supporting environmental journalism
Clean Ireland Recycling has teamed up with The Clare Echo to deliver in-depth environmental journalism to the people of Clare.
The Recycling and Waste Management operator, which has bases in Shannon, Ennis and Cree, is committed to supporting The Clare Echo’s ‘Green Clare’ weekly feature for the coming year. The feature which is already supported by Clare County Council, will now be increased to a double-page spread each week thanks to Clean Ireland Recycling.
Clean Ireland Recycling’s mission is to conserve resources and reduce waste by encouraging the efficient use of materials, developing and promoting source reduction and reuse strategies and integrating these strategies with recycling. With over 30 years of experience in the waste management industry, Clean Ireland Recycling has been recognised as the leading Domestic & Commercial Waste Management Operator in Ireland.
Brian Lyons, General Manager of Clean Ireland Recycling, says that the operator is delighted to support environmental journalism, noting that it is in line with Clean Ireland Recycling’s ethos. “We have always believed that the biggest step towards sustainability begins at home. Education and awareness are paramount towards increasing the recycling rates and protecting our surroundings for those who come after us.”
