Packaging waste highlights from 2024
Recycling is not keeping up with generation.
Packaging waste generation has increased almost 4 times faster than recycling since 2016.
Ireland is not on track to meet EU recycling targets.
Total packaging waste recycling rate is 60% in 2024 and the EU target is 65% by 2025.
This page contains EPA waste data for Ireland’s Packaging Waste in 2024 (released July 2026). These data are submitted to Eurostat annually in June for reporting requirements under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and are subject to further validation.
Highlights ~ Generation ~ Recycling & recovery ~ Forecasts ~ Future focus ~ More information ~ Links
Generation
Ireland generated 1,191,862 tonnes of packaging waste in 2024. This marks an increase of 20% since 2016.
Packaging waste is categorised into the following material types: paper & cardboard, plastic, glass, wood, metal and other (such as textiles).
| Packaging stream | Generation tonnes |
|---|---|
| Paper & cardboard | 501,783 |
| Plastic | 349,990 |
| Glass | 166,743 |
| Wood | 102,420 |
| Metal | 63,180 |
| Other | 7,748 |
Recycling & recovery
In 2024, Ireland recycled 716,000 tonnes (60%) of packaging waste and treated 417,000 tonnes (35%) of packaging waste using incineration with energy recovery.
| Packaging waste category | Recycled (tonnes) | Energy recovery (tonnes) |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic | 106,797 | 237,810 |
| Wood | 51,783 | 49,665 |
| Metal | 36,130 | 1,109 |
| Glass | 141,831 | |
| Paper & Cardboard | 379,580 | 128,407 |
Packaging waste generation has grown nearly four times faster than recycling capacity, resulting in decreasing recycling rates since 2016.
Material stream recycling targets
Ireland is on track to hit the 2025 targets for recycling of paper & cardboard, glass, aluminium and wood while but will not meet the ferrous metal, plastic and total packaging recycling targets. Ireland has already hit the 2030 targets for glass and wood.
From 2024 on, the metal recycling target is split into aluminium and ferrous metal packaging.
Forecasts
The EPA has developed forecasting models to better understand packaging waste generation and recycling in advance of real data compilation. These models provide an early indication of where packaging waste generation and recycling trends are heading, allowing us to better inform policy decisions and respond more proactively to emerging trends. By forecasting, we aim to give policymakers timely insights that support evidence-based planning. It also offers the public a clearer picture of how packaging waste generation, and recycling are evolving, helping to raise awareness and encourage more sustainable behaviours.
The graphs below which have been generated by the models show:
- Observed data: actual packaging waste figures from 2001 - 2024.
- Fitted data: how the model interprets past trends based on historical data.
- Forecasted data: projected waste generation for the coming years, including a 95% confidence interval to quantify uncertainty.
Forecasts Disclaimer
The forecast developed by the EPA is based on both historical packaging waste data and a range of key influencing factors, including policy measures and broader economic conditions. By combining past waste generation trends with these external drivers, the model provides projections that reflect not only historical behaviour but also the anticipated impacts of future developments and changes in the operating environment.
While the model provides a useful indication of potential future trends, it is not a perfect prediction. The EPA is actively exploring methods and incorporating additional data sources to enhance accuracy and reliability and continually improve our forecasting approach.
Future focus
The new European Regulation on packaging and packaging waste entered into force on the 12th February 2025.
Some highlights from the packaging and packaging waste regulation are:
- Article 3 – Definitions for packaging, manufacturers, producers etc.
- Article 5 – Restriction on substances used in packaging.
- Article 6 – All plastic placed on the market must be recyclable.
- Article 7 – Packaging must contain a minimum amount of recycled content.
- Article 10 – Packaging weight and volume to be reduced to the minimum necessary.
- Article 12 – Sets new rules for packaging labelling.
- Article 28 – Refill obligations.
- Article 29 – Sets re-use targets.
- Article 44 – Establishment of a national register of packaging producers.
Irelands’ Waste Action Plan for Circular Economy and Circular Economy Act 2022 also contains measures to achieve reductions in waste generation and to improve Ireland’s packaging recycling rates. However, these need swift implementation to assist us in reaching recycling targets. These include:
- Lightweighting of packaging as per annex II of Pack Directive.
- Continued action against unnecessary packaging.
- Quantitative targets on reuse.
- Support businesses taking the lead in waste reduction.
- Promotion of refill and reuse rather than single use.
- New financial and regulatory measures aimed at reducing the plastic waste generation and single use plastics.
- The continued rollout of eco-modulation pricing to fund the collection and recycling of higher quality packaging materials.
- Supports for increased use of recycled materials in plastic packaging to enhance the market value of post-consumer PET.
- A study examining options to reduce the use of single use packaging in the sale of fruit and vegetables.
- Monitoring the effectiveness of the mandatory segregation and incentivised charging regime for commercial waste and the waste recovery levy.
More Information
Plastic Own Resources (POR)
Own Resources are contributions made by member states to the EU budget. The Plastic Own Resource is a calculation to the EU budget that is calculated based on the amount of plastic packaging that is not recycled which equates to approximately €200,000,000 per year
Link to European commission website with further information on plastics own resource Plastics own resource - European Commission
Reusable Packaging Placed on the Market
According to data compiled by Repak, over 16,000 tonnes of reusable packaging were placed on the Irish market in 2024, representing less than 2% of all packaging placed on the market in 2024. Examples of reusable packaging include wooden pallets, kegs, IBCs, trays, plastic boxed trays and buckets.
According to Repak data, ferrous metal is the material stream with the highest level of reuse in Ireland, followed by wood and then plastic.
Data compilation
Ireland’s packaging waste generation and treatment figures are compiled by EPA using data obtained from waste operators (collectors and facilities), local authorities and waste brokers and from Repak annually. Relevant characterisation factors are applied to the data for mixed waste streams to estimate the proportion of packaging based on the EPA’s most recent waste characterisation studies.
The data are cross-checked against data held by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and data reported to Repak, while exports are cross-checked against data from the National Transfrontier Shipment Office. Estimates for unmanaged waste are based on CSO data from the National Household Survey.