A step forward for Ireland’s circular economy: Our new recovery system
We were proud to welcome Minister of State, Alan Dillon TD, to officially open our new €5 million metals and plastics recovery system at our Panda Millennium Park facility in Dublin.
This state-of-the-art system represents a major milestone in our efforts to reduce waste, increase recycling, and support Ireland’s journey toward a truly circular economy.
The Minister highlighted the importance of our work, stating, “It is vital that Ireland continues to improve recycling rates and investments such as these are essential to help us meet our national targets.”
He also welcomed our broader commitment to Ireland’s recycling infrastructure, noting our plans for additional investment and expansion in the years ahead.
Improving recycling infrastructure across Ireland
Our new recovery system is designed to extract valuable materials and plastics that are incorrectly placed in general waste (black bins). With this innovation, we can:
- Increase national recovery rates
- Ensure recyclable materials are not wasted
- Reduce landfill dependency
- Support national and EU circular economy goals
Why this investment matters
This €5 million system is part of a larger €160 million capital investment programme to expand and modernise waste and recycling systems across Ireland. This programme is expected to create around 300 new jobs and further strengthen our leadership in sustainable waste management.
Our Millennium Park Facility, the largest recycling depot in the State, currently handles up to 5,500 tonnes of waste weekly and serves over 440,000 customers across the domestic and commercial sectors.
The project isn’t just a technological upgrade; it’s a safety net for when recycling efforts fall short. As Panda CEO Brian McCabe puts it: “We want to ensure that if you get it wrong, we have a safety net. This investment will allow us to catch more of the stuff that shouldn’t be in your black bin and ensure it’s recycled properly and efficiently.”
