Improved waste management by the "hospitality sector" in Dublin's Temple Bar area has cut waste going to landfill from hotels, restaurants, cafes and pubs by 42 per cent since last year.
According to a study published yesterday by Temple Bar Properties, 84 per cent of all glass in the area is either returned to suppliers or recycled since the introduction of a glass recycling scheme last November.
"This far exceeds the 50 per cent target set in 2001," said Ms Tambra Dillon, TBP's general manager. It had been achieved by working together with Dublin City Council, local businesses and Earthwatch-Friends of the Earth Ireland.
The City Recycling Company, a subsidiary of Rehab, now collects glass from a third of the businesses in Temple Bar and has become Dublin's largest glass collection and recycling service.
The study, carried out by Earthwatch, also found that 93 per cent of respondents believe there has been an improvement in the appearance of the area following the removal of 120 unsightly Eurobins from the streets.
The Temple Bar Waste Management Partnership is now working to develop comprehensive solutions for cardboard and paper waste.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, said he was heartened by the positive reaction to the source separation of glass.
This had been found to be economic and efficient, convincing many of the benefits of recycling.
