Repak, the industry-funded waste packaging compliance scheme, and Dublin City Council have launched Ireland's first on-street segregated recycling units.
The €300,000 scheme, which will eventually see 300 recycling bins throughout the city, will start with 10 recycling units spread between Grafton Street, Henry Street and Temple Bar. The units consist of three stainless steel cylindrical bins for the collection of plastic bottles, litter and aluminium cans. They are to be serviced regularly through the day. Repak says it has the potential to recycle and remove from landfill up to 15 million cans and 10 million plastic bottles per year, as part of its drive to reduce the overall volume of packaging waste.
Mr Andrew Hetherington, Repak's chief executive, said the aim was to make it as easy as possible for people to start recycling - one of the main themes of National Recycling Week, which started on Monday.
Mr Matt Twomey, assistant city manager responsible for waste management, said arrangements were being made to extend the service to remaining areas. In addition, 20 new "bring centres" had been opened and a site for bulky items such as fridges would open shortly.
