Progress to EU Targets
Updated 20 August 2020
Ireland is responsible for meeting targets under EU waste legislation including the Waste Framework Directive, the Landfill Directive and the Producer Responsibility Directives (Packaging and Packaging Waste, End-of-Life Vehicles, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Batteries and Accumulators). The table below provides information on Ireland’s progress to meeting these targets. The table will be updated when data is submitted to the Commission (reporting deadline is generally eighteen months after the end of the calendar year being reported on). Please note that all numbers are rounded to closest integer.
| EU Directive | Target Date | Target Specifics | Reference Year | Rate | Indicator | |
| Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) | 12/12/2020 | Preparing for reuse and recycling of 50% by weight of household derived paper, metal, plastic & glass (calculation method 1) | 2018 | 51% | On track Due December 2020 | |
| 12/12/2020 | Preparing for reuse, recycling and other material recovery (incl. beneficial backfilling operations using waste as a substitute) of 70% by weight of C&D non-hazardous waste (excluding natural soils & stone) | 2018 | 77% | On track Due December 2020 | ||
| 12/12/2013 | Establishment of a National Waste Prevention Programme (NWPP) | NWPP established in 2004 | Achieved | |||
| Packaging Directive (94/62/EC as amended) | 31/12/2011 | 60% as a minimum by weight of packaging waste will be recovered or incinerated at waste incineration plants with energy recovery. | 2018 | 91% | Achieved | |
| 55% as a minimum by weight of packaging waste will be recycled. | 2018 | 64% | Achieved | |||
| No later than 31st December 2011 the following minimum recycling targets for materials contained in packaging waste will be attained: | ||||||
| (i) 60% by weight for glass; | 2018 | 82% | Achieved | |||
| (ii) 60% by weight for paper and board; | 2018 | 79% | Achieved | |||
| (iii) 50% by weight for metals; | 2018 | 64% | Achieved | |||
| (iv) 22.5% by weight for plastics, counting exclusively material that is recycled back into plastics; | 2018 | 27% | Achieved | |||
| (v) 15% by weight for wood. | 2018 | 64% | Achieved | |||
| End of Life Vehicles Directive (2000/53/EC) | 01/01/2015 | Reuse and recovery to a minimum of 95% by average weight of vehicle and year. | 2018 | 95% | Achieved | |
| Reuse and recycling to a minimum of 85% by average weight of vehicle and year. | 2018 | 86% | Achieved | |||
| Batteries Directive (2006/66/EC) | 26/09/2016 | Minimum 45% collection rate for batteries & accumulators. | 2019 | 47% | Achieved | |
| 26/09/2011 | Recycling processes shall achieve the following minimum recycling efficiencies: | |||||
| (a) recycling of 65 % by average weight of lead-acid batteries and accumulators, including recycling of the lead content to the highest degree that is technically feasible while avoiding excessive costs; | 2019 | 87% | Achieved | |||
| (b) recycling of 75 % by average weight of nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators, including recycling of the cadmium content to the highest degree that is technically feasible while avoiding excessive costs; and | 2019 | 78% | Achieved | |||
| (c) recycling of 50 % by average weight of other waste batteries and accumulators. | 2019 | 83% | Achieved | |||
| Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) | 16/12/2020 | Biodegradable municipal waste going to landfills must be reduced to 35% of the total quantity (by weight) biodegradable municipal waste produced in 1995 (427,000 t). | 2019 | 145,000 tonnes disposed to landfill | On track Due December 2020 | |
| WEEE Directive (2012/19/EC) | 14/8/2016 | Separate collection of ≥ 45% of WEEE in reference to electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market. | 2018 | 61% | Achieved | |
| 15/8/2015 | For large household appliances: Recovery shall be increased to a minimum of 85% by an average weight per appliance; and Component, material and substance reuse and recycling shall be increased to a minimum of 80% by an average weight per appliance. | 2018 | 90% 84% | Achieved | ||
| 15/8/2015 | For small household appliances: Recovery shall be increased to a minimum of 75% by an average weight per appliance; and Component, material and substance reuse and recycling shall be increased to a minimum of 55% by an average weight per appliance. | 2018 | 82% 71% | Achieved | ||
| 15/8/2015 | For IT and telecommunications equipment: Recovery shall be increased to a minimum of 80% by an average weight per appliance; and Component, material and substance reuse and recycling shall be increased to a minimum of 70% by an average weight per appliance. | 2018 | 90% 85% | Achieved | ||
| 15/8/2015 | For consumer equipment: Recovery shall be increased to a minimum of 80% by an average weight per appliance; and Component, material and substance reuse and recycling shall be increased to a minimum of 70% by an average weight per appliance. | 2018 | 90% 84% | Achieved | ||
| 15/8/2015 | For lighting equipment: Recovery shall be increased to a minimum of 75% by an average weight per appliance; and Component, material and substance reuse and recycling shall be increased to a minimum of 55% by an average weight per appliance. | 2018 | 95% 83% | Achieved | ||
| 15/8/2015 | For gas discharge lamps, the rate of component, material and substance reuse and recycling shall reach a minimum of 80% by weight of the lamps. | 2018 | 84% | Achieved | ||
| 15/8/2015 | For electrical & electronic tools: Recovery shall be increased to a minimum of 75% by an average weight per appliance; Component, material and substance reuse and recycling shall be increased to a minimum of 55% by an average weight per appliance. | 2018 | 79% 72% | Achieved | ||
| 15/8/2015 | For toys, leisure and sports equipment: Recovery shall be increased to a minimum of 75% by an average weight per appliance; and Component, material and substance reuse and recycling shall be increased to a minimum of 55% by an average weight per appliance. | 2018 | 83% 72% | Achieved | ||
| 15/8/2015 | For medical devices: Recovery shall be increased to a minimum of 75% by an average weight per appliance; Component, material and substance reuse and recycling shall be increased to a minimum of 55% by an average weight per appliance. | 2018 | 77% 60% | Achieved | ||
| 15/8/2015 | For monitoring and control instruments: Recovery shall be increased to a minimum of 75% by an average weight per appliance; and Component, material and substance reuse and recycling shall be increased to a minimum of 55% by an average weight per appliance. | 2018 | 83% 72% | Achieved | ||
| 15/8/2015 | For automatic dispensers: Recovery shall be increased to a minimum of 85% by an average weight per appliance; Component, material and substance reuse and recycling shall be increased to a minimum of 80% by an average weight per appliance. | 2018 | 89% 82% | Achieved | ||
