We used to dream of a white Christmas, but now a green Christmas dominates our thoughts, as three-quarters of shoppers plan to be more eco-conscious over the festive period.
The survey of 1,397 people in Ireland examines the attitudes towards recycling and shopping over the festive season. Gift giving remains popular, as 25 per cent planned to buy between 10 and 15 gifts this Christmas, and 49 per cent agreed they would spend €300 or less, a 16 per cent increase compared to 2022.
Ireland is expected to generate 95,000 tonnes of packaging waste this Christmas, so not only is Christmas the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also the time when recycling bins are at their fullest.
To ensure Ireland reaches its future recycling targets under the EU’s Circular Economy Package, it’s important that all consumers understand how to manage their packaging waste over the holiday period.
Merry Clickmas
The effects of the pandemic have influenced how people choose to shop for presents again this year. Over half planned to do most of their Christmas shopping online, with 69 per cent citing the ability to avoid busy, crowded stores as the reason for doing so.
The packaging waste generated from online sales will create a heavy influx of materials for waste operators to process during Christmas. However, for online shoppers, over 50 per cent of those polled don’t know if the retailers they purchase from have any sustainability programmes in place.
Shopping local
Over 60 per cent of people will shop local this Christmas, and by shopping with a Repak Member, consumers can feel assured they are purchasing from retailers who are helping to protect the environment in addition to supporting local businesses.
CEO of Repak, Séamus Clancy, explained, ‘This Christmas, we are asking the Irish public to be more mindful of protecting the environment and dispose of their packaging waste in a responsible manner. Since the start of September, all plastics can be placed in the recycling bin.
Currently in Ireland, we are exceeding the EU plastic recycling target of 22.5 per cent, but achieving plastic recycling targets of 50 per cent by 2025 and 55 per cent by 2030 under the Circular Economy and EU Legislation will require a concerted effort from everyone in Ireland.”
For more information on Repak Team Green, or to become a Repak Member, visit www.repak.ie
