Total waste generation in Ireland
Ireland: Total waste generation was 292,031 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Total waste generation in Ireland, 2004–2022
Source: United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total waste generation in Ireland is 292,031 tonnes, measured in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.0% on the previous year and up 203.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total waste generation in Ireland peaked at 296,865 tonnes in 2018 and was at its lowest, 0 tonnes, in 2006.
Ireland ranks 31st of 62 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total waste generation in Ireland, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 8,706 tonnes | — |
| 2006 | 0 tonnes | -100.0% |
| 2008 | 19,376 tonnes | — |
| 2010 | 101,143 tonnes | +422.0% |
| 2012 | 96,251 tonnes | -4.8% |
| 2014 | 96,251 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 105,033 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 2018 | 296,865 tonnes | +182.6% |
| 2020 | 275,414 tonnes | -7.2% |
| 2022 | 292,031 tonnes | +6.0% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 292,031 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 293,977 tonnes, 99% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 292,031 tonnes is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 289,947 tonnes, 1.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 9,361 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 19,376 tonnes | 3 |
| 2010s | 139,109 tonnes | 96,251 tonnes | 296,865 tonnes | 5 |
| 2020s | 283,722 tonnes | 275,414 tonnes | 292,031 tonnes | 2 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More environment data for Ireland
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 2.51 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 2.17 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.412 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.89 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -1.13 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate -0.0083 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total waste generation in Ireland?
- Total waste generation in Ireland was 292,031 tonnes in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total waste generation recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 296,865 tonnes in 2018.
- What is the lowest total waste generation recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 tonnes in 2006.
- How does Ireland rank for total waste generation?
- Ireland ranks 31st out of 62 countries with data for 2022.
- Is total waste generation rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 203.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Total waste generation. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 10 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total waste generation, by activity (Tonnes).