We produce a range of official statistics on waste generation and management in Ireland. These are used for reporting on Ireland’s performance in meeting its legal obligations, for policy and waste management planning purposes and to inform the general public. We compile our waste statistics from surveys and administrative data sources. Find out more in our A to Z of waste statistics page.
People living in Ireland produce more than 14 million tonnes of waste every year. We do this in our homes, our places of work and leisure.
International and national waste policy is drawn up so that we produce less waste, and that the waste we do create is recycled as much as possible. What cannot be recycled should at least serve another useful purpose (such as energy production).
A large proportion of Ireland's waste legislation springs from our membership of the European Union. The EU Circular Economy package of measures is designed to ensure that once raw materials have entered our economy, they are kept in circulation for as long as possible, rather than being disposed of after one use. Find out more about the EPA's role in driving the Circular Economy in Ireland.
There are simple actions we can all take, both at home and in our communities, to prevent waste and increase re-use and recycling.
Single use plastics are plastics that are used once and then disposed of. Typical single use plastics include plastic cutlery, straws, beverage containers and food containers.
Interesting fact
947 tonnesof cups for beverages including their covers and lids made wholly of plastic were placed on the market in Ireland in 2022.
Municipal waste is made up of household waste and commercial waste of a similar nature. The EPA reports on how much municipal waste Ireland generates and how this waste is treated.
Waste generation refers to the total tonnage of waste that is disposed of and enters the waste management system for treatment in Ireland each year.
Interesting fact
17.6 million tonnesof waste was generated in Ireland in 2021. Mineral wastes including soil, gravel, rock, clay, concrete, slag and ash accounted for 11.9 million tonnes of this.
Household waste includes waste collected directly from households in the residual, recycling and organic bins and waste brought by householders to waste collection centres such as bring banks, civic amenity sites, pay-to-use compactors and landfills.
Tyres become waste when worn-out tyres on vehicles are replaced. If not managed properly, waste tyres pose a threat to the atmosphere, to land, soil, water, plants and animals.
Composting is a natural process that uses bacteria and fungi to recycle organic material, such as kitchen and garden waste, into compost. Anaerobic digestion uses bacteria to break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen to treat animal manures, wastewater biosolids and food wastes.
Interesting Fact
590,000 tonnesquantity of waste accepted for treatment at composting & anaerobic digestion facilities in 2021
C&D waste is made up of many different materials such as soil and stones, concrete, bricks, tiles and gypsum waste. The treatment route for most C&D waste is backfilling.
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Food waste is a global problem that has environmental, social and economic consequences. More than one quarter of the food produced globally is wasted.
Most of the products we buy are contained in packaging to protect them during transport and make them look attractive on shop shelves. When the goods are unpacked, the packaging become waste. Ireland generated over 1.2 million tonnes of packaging waste in 2021.
Hazardous waste is waste that is dangerous or potentially harmful to our health or the environment. Most hazardous waste is Ireland is generated by large industry and the construction sector, with smaller amounts generated by healthcare, small businesses, households and farms.
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is one of the fastest growing waste streams worldwide. In 2022, Ireland surpassed all EU targets for recycling and recovery of WEEE.
ELVs are cars or light commercial vehicles that are no longer suitable for use and are discarded as waste. Some 105,494 ELVs (scrap vehicles) were treated in Ireland in 2022.
BMW comprises those elements of municipal waste that will rot or degrade biologically, including food waste, garden & park waste, and waste paper & cardboard.
Learn more about Ireland's waste infrastructure here.
Interesting fact
3 landfillsin Ireland accepted municipal waste in 2021, compared with 21 a decade earlier
Reuse is any operation by which products or components that are not waste are used again for the same purpose for which they were conceived.
Waste oils are hazardous waste and include any mineral or synthetic lubrication or industrial oils which have become unfit for the use for which they were originally intended. Examples include used combustion engine oils and gearbox oils, lubricating oils, oils for turbines, and hydraulic oils. The proper management of this waste is crucial to ensure ensure that damage to the environment is prevented and there is no risk to water, soil, air, plants, or animals.
Interesting fact
21,789 tonnesof waste oils were made available for energy recovery in Ireland in 2022
Ireland and other EU Member States report annually under a range of European waste legislation. View Ireland's progress
Want to find out what's in our bins? View the EPA's latest waste characterisation studies
View upcoming EPA waste statistics releases
View information about EPA waste statistics
Here you will find guidance on list of waste codes, recovery & disposal codes, municipal waste types and waste generation sources
Here EPA licensees will find the latest information on Environmental Performance Reporting, including guidance documents
