Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste requires Ireland to achieve recovery rates of 25 per cent or more for packaging by 30 June 2001 and 50 per cent or more by 31 December 2005. I consider that satisfactory progress is being made towards the achievement of these targets.
The most recent comprehensive data on waste management, contained in the national waste database report published by the Environmental Protection Agency, indicate that the recovery rate for packaging waste in the household and commercial waste streams increased from 10.4 per cent in 1993 to 15.6 per cent in 1995. The report also indicates a recovery rate of 21.9 per cent in 1995 in relation to packaging waste from all sources i.e. household, commercial and industrial. The EPA is compiling an updated report in relation to 1998.
Repak Ltd. is a company established by industry, and operational since July 1997, to promote and co-ordinate the recovery of packaging waste and to faciltate compliance by industry with its obligations under the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations, 1997.
It is an objective of Repak Ltd. to organise and finance the systems needed to achieve a recovery rate of 27 per cent by 2001 in relation to packaging waste. Its waste recovery scheme requires members to take steps to recover the packaging waste arising on their own premises, and to make a financial contribution to Repak Ltd.
The funds contributed by members are applied by Repak Ltd. mainly to support the collection and recovery of packaging waste from householders. In this regard, I understand that financial assistance in 1997, to a total value of over £800,000, was provided to Kerbside Dublin and Gandon Enterprises Ltd., the Rehab Recycling Partnership, to assist their recycling activities.