Irish newspaper recycling up 250%

Ireland has seen a massive increase in newspaper recycling over the last five years according to environmental auditors, making it one of the best countries in Europe for newsprint recycling.

Last year alone the Irish recycled 161,000 tonnes of newspapers, an increase of 16.5% on year.

73.8% of all newspapers printed in Ireland are now recycled.

This is up from 28% in 2002, representing a real terms increase in newspaper recycling of over 250% in the past five years.

National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) welcomed the figures, and said that the improvement reflects better practice by publishers, wholesalers and retailers, as well as by newspaper readers.

NNI chair Maeve Donovan said the figures reveal a ‘genuine success story’ for the environment.

She added that the NNI has ‘invested heavily’ to develop a culture of recycling amount publishers, retailers and consumers.