IRISH PEOPLE recycle materials less when they are at work compared to at home, according to the latest research from Repak, the non-profit organisation responsible for used packaging recycling.
Information released for Recycling Week, which begins today, shows 47 per cent do not recycle regularly in the workplace, compared with 3 per cent in their own kitchens.
A survey of 1,000 people found 62 per cent do not recycle regularly from the office or desk and 42 per cent did not recycle their plastic bottles from there.
It also showed 55 per cent did not recycle their used takeaway coffee cups in the workplace, although 52 per cent bring plastic bottled products into the workplace, with 43 per cent buying takeaway coffee.
It showed 55 per cent of people surveyed recycle more in the home than in the workplace - and in the home recycling continued to improve, with 40 per cent of people reported to having brown bins for recycling food waste versus 88 per cent who have recyclable bins.
The survey also found 83 per cent claimed not to regularly recycle their used food tins at work, and 55 per cent did not recycle their used takeaway coffee cups.
When questioned what items they regularly recycled, plastic drinks bottles were the most recycled item in the workplace at 58 per cent, but this was far below the 87 per cent reported to be recycled at home.
Despite the low recycling rates reported by Irish workers, many admitted to bringing packaged products into the workplace, with over 52 per cent buying or bringing plastic bottled products into work.