Repak Announces Its Largest Ever Nationwide Recycling Knowledge Audit To Mark World Environment Day

Repak has announced its largest ever nationwide Recycling Knowledge Audit to mark World Environment Day. The aim of the audit will be to test the public’s knowledge of recycling and to identify misconceptions about recycling practices present among the public. 

The announcement stems from research recently commissioned by Repak which showed that “Ireland has a significant knowledge gap in knowing what and what does not go into their recycling bin. Despite having good intentions when it comes to recycling, there is a concerning gap in Ireland’s recycling knowledge. Although 88% of people stated that they are confident in their recycling abilities, only 52% were correctly able to identify what can go in the recycling bin when asked.”   

In collaboration with a third-party research provider Repak intends to quiz 2,000 members of the Irish public this Summer about their knowledge of recycling practices. The data collected from this will be developed into a countrywide information campaign to “promote responsible recycling practices.” In addition to this the campaign also aims to help the country reach EU targets and create a more sustainable environment 

“Even the smallest of mistakes can have detrimental effects on the environment but further Repak research** revealed that almost half (41%) believe that minor recycling errors don’t have an impact on the overall recycling process. This World Environment Day, Repak is encouraging consumers and businesses to separate all packaging into the correct bin, making sure it’s clean, dry, and loose.” 

At the launch of the audit, Zoë Kavanagh, CEO of Repak said: 

“This World Environment Day, Repak is excited to announce the launch of its largest-ever Recycling Knowledge Audit. This initiative aims to gain a clear understanding of the current recycling aptitude among Irish residents. By identifying where we, as a nation, are falling short in recycling best practices, we can implement better habits to become more environmentally conscious in our daily lives. 

The audit will help us tackle misconceptions directly and add significant value to Ireland’s journey towards improved recycling standards in the future. There is a significant knowledge gap in proper segregation and recycling practices. Today, on World Environment Day, we urge the public to take a step back and review their recycling habits. 

Every individual’s action counts when it comes to meeting Ireland’s EU recycling targets, no matter how big or small. We encourage everyone to take the time to ensure we are correctly segregating our waste—clean, dry, and loose—to contribute to a greener Ireland.”