The 2026 National Recycling Bin Survey analysed 6,418 packaging items recorded by 50 households across 16 local authority areas. For the first time, participants also tracked what products the packaging originally contained, providing a deeper understanding of the relationship between everyday consumption and household waste.

The results build on previous surveys conducted in 2023 and 2025 and continue to highlight the significant role that retail packaging plays in Ireland's waste stream.

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