The report, Getting Recycling Sorted, outlined how investment in sorting technology across Ireland’s network of materials recovery facilities (MRFs) would enable all beverage cartons placed on the Irish market to be captured for reprocessing.
ACE Ireland’s analysis warned that while new EU and national waste regulations set ambitious targets for recycling and compliance, these cannot be achieved without significant upgrades to sorting infrastructure.
The report also highlighted the impact of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), which has reduced the volume of material entering MRFs and intensified the need to improve recovery of other packaging streams.
Mandy Kelly, Chief Executive at ACE Ireland, said: “Food and beverage cartons are a recyclable, renewable and low-carbon food packaging solution used by Irish households every day.
“The more cartons we fully recycle at scale, the bigger the benefit for consumers, the environment and the wider packaging industry.
“We need detailed, specific up-to-date data so that industry, government, and the public can track progress on recycling. This is vital to ensure that we can continue to adapt and improve recycling processes and awareness campaigns.”
€3.5 million to fund new sorting systems
In its recommendations, ACE Ireland has called on the Government to:
- Invest in MRF sorting technology: Allocate €3.5 million to fund new sorting systems across the country, enabling beverage cartons to be fully separated and sent to dedicated carton recycling facilities.
- Mandate detailed recycling data: Require annual, material-specific reporting on recycling rates, beyond broad categories such as “paper”, to ensure greater transparency and allow government, industry, and the public to track progress.
- Recognise beverage cartons as a priority: Ensure cartons are clearly identified as a key packaging stream in circular economy policy, funding strategies, and consumer awareness initiatives, including MyWaste.ie and local authority-led campaigns.
Boosting recycling rates
ACE Ireland said investment in sorting technology would not only unlock carton recycling at scale but also boost recycling rates for a wide range of packaging materials.
In January 2025, the Irish Programme for Government included the promise of investment into improving Ireland’s sorting technology in its MRF network.
Ben Powell, Head of External Affairs at ACE Ireland, added: “Ireland will miss EU mandated recycling targets without urgent investment in sorting infrastructure.
“While it’s positive to see the commitment in the Programme for Government to provide investment in sorting technology in Ireland’s MRF network, we need this turned into concrete action.
“This would benefit both the Government who need to meet their targets; the packaging industry as overall recycling processes would improve; and the consumer who can be assured that the packaging they place in their recycling bin is being fully recycled.”
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