Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1279. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider implementing a refundable deposit scheme for recyclables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19986/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRepak is the approved producer responsibility compliance scheme for packaging in Ireland and is tasked with meeting recovery and recycling targets established under the EU Packaging Directive (94/62/EC). The most recent Waste Packaging Statistics for Ireland published by the EPA in May 2016 show that Ireland has met and exceeded the overall packaging waste recovery rate and the recycling rate targets since they came into force.
In July 2014, the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government published a Review of the Producer Responsibility Initiative Model in Ireland. The aim of the review was to assess the nature and level of the challenges which are currently facing the existing Producer Responsibility Agreements, as well as the forthcoming challenges that are expected to arise in the management of various waste streams. A stakeholder consultation process was also conducted.
As part of this review, a wider examination of issues within the packaging sphere was undertaken and consideration was given to the introduction of a refundable deposit scheme for recyclables.
The review report did not recommend the introduction of a Deposit and Refund scheme and concluded that to establish such a scheme was inappropriate, in view of the operation of the existing packaging scheme (operated by Repak), and policies concerning household waste collection, plus the high administrative costs of introducing such a system.
