Following the publication of the strategy document Recycling for Ireland in July 1994, the Irish Business and Employers' Confederation set up an industry task force on recycling to develop a strategy for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste, including paper packaging waste. The task force is examining various issues involved in the implementation of the national recycling strategy and EU Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.
The Government mandate for the IBEC examination was set out in general terms in pages 18 and 19 of Recycling for Ireland. The task force comprises some 20 members broadly representative of business and industry under the chairmanship of Mr. Stephen O'Connor, Waterford Foods plc. IBEC have indicated that they will submit an interim report of the task force in the near future.
A study has been jointly commissioned by my Department and National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) in relation to the increased use of newspapers for animal bedding and related uses. The study is being carried out by Teagasc and meetings are held for the review of progress from time to time between representatives of the Department, NNI and Teagasc.