There are a number of methods for recycling various types of plastics. Plastic beverage containers, referred to as PET containers, first undergo initial shredding and treatment, to stringent specifications, before being reprocessed. The largest European reprocessor of PET containers is located in Ireland. Post-consumer PET is reprocessed at this facility into synthetic fibres that have a wide range of uses. At present only two facilities in Europe, located in France and the Netherlands, undertake the necessary pre-treatment. Accordingly, the recovery of PET containers, involving their separate collection, export for pre-treatment and re-import for reprocessing, has not developed significantly so far in Ireland.
There are a number of operators collecting PET containers and information on these can be found in the recently published Recycling Directory of Ireland, which provides comprehensive information on material recyclers and reprocessors. I am arranging to have a copy of this directory placed in the Oireachtas Library.
To improve Ireland's recovery and recycling rates generally, it is my intention to pursue a producer responsibility initiative for the collection and recovery of PET containers. My Department has already held initial discussions with relevant stakeholders in this regard.