“ We cannot solve the problems that we have created with the same thinking that created them” ~ Albert Einstein

Waste is a huge challenge, and one which must be met head-on. It is estimated that in 6 years time all landfills for municipal waste in Ireland will be full.2 We’ve got to remember to firstly reduce (waste minimisation), then reuse or recycle; if all this fails, dispose of safely. Bring banks are located throughout Drogheda and Louth. (See map and directory)

Louth has a great advantage by having one of the largest recycling centres in the country, V & W Recycling Centre Drogheda out the Mell road (near Woodie's DIY) that recycle practically everything!

How good is Ireland at recycling?
Ireland has improved its recycling, but we are still well behind other EU countries. 1998 EU Packaging Waste Legislation has helped companies take responsibility for recycling their packaging waste. This motivates them to reduce packaging. Throughout Europe, companies must accept back their packaging. In Germany, people can return or leave packaging in supermarkets free of charge.

Repak was set up in Ireland to help reach 50% packaging waste recycling by 2005 which it did. The membership that companies pay to Repak is used to help recycle packaging waste, as opposed to companies accepting it back, as is the case in many parts of the EU. Germany was already recycling 70% of its packaging waste in 2001. The Irish EPA strongly recommends that we increase recycling targets to keep the momentum going. Sources: EPA & Waste Generated and treated in Europe 1990-2001, Eurostat