Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004
22 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will introduce regulations under sections 28 and 29 of the Waste Management Act 1996 to bring about waste prevention and minimisation, particularly with respect to packaging waste. [22609/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 18 of European Parliament and Council Directive 1994/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste prohibits member states from impeding the placing on the market of packaging which satisfies the provisions of the directive, that is, which is in accordance with the essential requirements specified in Annex II of the directive as to the composition and the reusable and recoverable nature of packaging.
Notwithstanding this, I share the Deputy's concerns with regard to the over-packaging of certain goods. Excessive packaging is generated through a combination of poor packaging design, inefficient production or manufacturing processes, and unsustainable consumption patterns, for example, by purchasing excessively packaged products. Taking action to prevent waste being generated in the first place is fundamental to the overriding objective of de-coupling economic growth from growth in waste arisings. However, Ireland is particularly disadvantaged in relation to the prevention and minimisation of packaging in that approximately 75% of the packaging placed on the market here is imported in association with imported goods.
The principle of producer responsibility requires waste producers to contribute to the waste management costs of products which they have placed on the market at end-of-life. In support of this approach, a producer responsibility initiative already operates in Ireland in relation to packaging waste, underpinned by the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 2003, which replaced earlier regulations introduced in 1997. Under the regulations, producers are required to take steps to recover packaging waste or alternatively to contribute to, and participate in, compliance schemes set up to recover packaging waste. Repak Limited, established by Irish industry in 1997 to promote, co-ordinate and finance the collection and recovery of packaging waste with a view to achieving Ireland's packaging waste recovery and recycling targets under European Parliament and Council Directive 1994/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste, is the only such approved compliance scheme. While Repak's primary role is to support the recycling of packaging waste rather than packaging minimisation, the fees structure applicable to its members, which is related to the type and amount of packaging placed on the market, reflects the polluter pays principle and directly incentivises the minimisation and reuse of packaging by producers.
Earlier this year, my predecessor launched an ambitious national waste prevention programme aimed at delivering significant improvements in waste prevention and minimisation across all waste streams, including packaging. This programme is being led by a core prevention team within the EPA which will have the task of developing the programme in consultation with other stakeholders. Funding of €2 million from the environment fund is being provided for the national waste prevention programme in 2004.
