Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Shutterstock
Sponsored
QUIZ: How much do you know about recycling around the world?
From who recycles over 90% of their aluminium to who’s not doing any.
WHEN WAS THE last time you threw something in your recycle bin that you weren’t fully sure belonged in it? Although we’ve been hitting our EU recycling targets for over 20 years, we’re going to really need to step it up a notch – 80% to be precise.
And one way each of us can help is to cut down on contamination. Some of the recycling plants used by Repak estimate that they have to remove around one million nappies each year (by hand). Other culprits tend to be soft plastics and food waste - here’s a full list of what belongs in (and out of) your recycling bin.
The good news is that we’re one of the leaders in Europe – the European Environmental Agency places us just outside the top 10.
So, how much do you really know about recycling habits worldwide? What can we learn from central Europe, and which countries further east are lagging behind? Take the quiz to find out.
1. Which country has the highest recycling rates in the world?
Shutterstock
Sweden
Germany
Belgium
Switzerland
2. What percentage of plastic does Ireland currently recycle?
Shutterstock
47%
33%
18%
28%
3. Which European country sends the lowest amount of waste to landfill?
Shutterstock
Sweden
Belgium
Denmark
Switzerland
4. When it comes to recycling plastic, where does Ireland rank in Europe?
Shutterstock
4th
11th
6th
28th
5. Which nation has held the world's top spot for aluminium recycling since 2001, with a rate of over 90%?
Unsplash
Argentina
Singapore
Brazil
Taiwan
6. Which country claims the number one spot for recycling outside of Europe?
Unsplash
South Korea
Singapore
China
Canada
7. Which country has the lowest recycling levels in Europe at 0%, joining Turkey and Serbia at 1%?
Shutterstock
Croatia
Lithuania
Latvia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
8. After Germany and Singapore, which country has the third best recycling rates in the world?
Unsplash
Austria
South Korea
Wales
Slovenia
9. In Ireland, our plastic recycling rate is currently 33%. What rate do we need to reach by 2030 in order to hit EU targets?
Unsplash
35%
55%
65%
85%
Shutterstock
You scored out of !
You could do with a rethink around recycling
While you might realise how we're doing in our recycling, you may not be fully aware of what's going on with recycling worldwide and how we could do even better. Improve your own recycling by visiting repak.ie.
Shutterstock
You scored out of !
You're doing Ireland proud
You know all about the brilliant recycling habits of Europe's leading countries and you're keen to improve our recycling here too. Find out even more about how to improve our rates by visiting repak.ie.
Shutterstock
You scored out of !
You're recycling royalty
Not only are you fully aware of the best recycling habits worldwide, you're keen to improve on your own recycling here at home, and to spread the word for others to improve theirs. Learn more at repak.ie.
Think your recycling habits could do with a little work? Not sure exactly what should go into your recycle bin? Find out exactly what you can recycle here. Currently we recycle 33% of plastics in Ireland, but we need to ensure Ireland meets its targets of 50% by 2025. See what you can do to play your part at Repak.ie.
Sources:
Question 1: European Environment Agency
Question 2: Environmental Protection Agency
Question 3-4: Central Statistics Office
Question 5: Aluminium Leader
Question 6: World Economic Forum
Question 7: European Environment Agency
Question 8: World Economic Forum
Question 9: Repak
have your say