The volume of Irish newsprint being recycled has more than trebled in the past seven years, accoring to figures released today by the Green Press Partnership (GPP)

According to a survey commissioned by the GPP and audited by the international consultancy RPS, the national rate of newsprint recycling now stands at 79%, putting Ireland among the world’s top paper recyclers. In 2002, our newsprint recycling rate stood at just 28%.

The Green Press Partnership is an alliance of publishing bodies including National Newspaper of Ireland (NNI), the Regional Newspaper & Printers Association of Ireland (RNPAI), Magazines Ireland, the Newspaper Publishers Association (NPA UK) and the Periodical Publishers Association (PPA UK)

‘This is a good news story that just keeps getting better,’ said Liam Kavanagh, Managing Director of The Irish Times and Chairman of the GPP. ‘In just seven years we have completely transformed the way newsprint is managed in this country, and the results – especially in terms of recycling – are quite remarkable.

‘The big difference between now and seven years ago is that all stakeholders in the newsprint supply chain are now working in harmony,‘ he added. ‘We have introduced a range of measures designed to ensure that as much newsprint as possible gets recycled, and everyone – publishers, retailers, wholesalers, local authorities, waste collectors – has bought into the strategy.

‘I must also add that a huge amount of credit should go to the millions of people who read and recycle their newspapers and magazines every week,’ said Mr Kavanagh. ‘More than anyone, they have helped to develop the culture of recycling in Ireland and they have played a huge part in this success.’

‘Environmental performances is going to become a key differentiating factor in business over the coming years, and we’ve shown that we can compete at the very top end,’ Mr Kavanagh said. ‘We’re still on the journey but so far it’s going well.

For further infomration contact Enda Buckley – Environment Officer ebuckley@cullencommunications.ie