Issue 1, 2007 - Repak

Repak Awarded VodafonePassion for Community AwardPictured (L-R): Peter Byrne - Chief Executive, South Dublin Chamber, Andrew Hetherington - CEO, Repakand Brenda Hunt, Regional & Community Relations Exec Vodafone.See back page for full storyInside this issue:Page 2Page 3CEO AddressPackaging SeminarsPage 4 EPA Database Update 2005Page 5 Repak Green Christmas 2006/7 -Waste Packaging RecoveryPerformancePage 5Page 6Page 7Page 8Dates for the DiaryNew Recycling Centre for MullingarNew Recycling Centre for KellsNew Regulations to SupportPackaging Waste RecyclingPage 8 New Membership Update 2006Page 9/10Page 10Page 11Page 11Page 12European NewsRepak Newsletter forEnforcement OfficersAll aboard for An Taisce’sNational Spring Clean 2007Sabine Bataille - New To Repak’sStatistics DepartmentRepak Awarded Vodafone Passionfor the World by South DublinChamber

CEO ADDRESSA New BeginningIn the middle of February, the Minister for the Environment signed the new draft regulations aimed at optimisingthe recovery and recycling of packaging waste in Ireland. The Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 2007(in draft) consolidate the existing suite of regulations and bring greater clarity, transparency and accessibility tothe packaging waste regulatory regime. Specifically, this means that more producers are required to contribute tothe cost of recovering and recycling the packaging they place on the market.Until now, producerswere deemed to havean obligation tocomply with theregulations either viaRepak membership,or by registering asself-compliers, if they hada turnover greater than€1.0m per annum andplaced packaging inexcess of the de minimisThese measures, or entry level of 25tonnes on the market.when fullyThe new regulationsimplemented, will reduce this threshold todeliver a high degree 10 tonnes whilstretaining the monetaryof certainty to all theentry level value ofstakeholders involved €1.0m. Minister Rochein the packaging was unequivocal instating that the reductionrecycling loop.in entry level tonnes willspread the burden ofcompliance moreequitably across allobligated producers, a sentimentthat will be welcomed by existingRepak members who up to nowhave shouldered the unequal burdenof funding all of Ireland’s packagingwaste recovery and recycling efforts.There are other significant changesin the new regulations relating inparticular to the take back obligationof major producers. The full textof the new draft regulations maybe downloaded from theDepartment of the Environmentwebsite or from www.repak.ieThe new regulations, when takenin tandem with the recentlyconcluded five year agreementinvolving Repak, IBEC and theDept. of the Environment, should beseen as a package of measures thatwill go a long way towards levellingthe playing field for Repak members,vis-à-vis those companies who haveopted for self-compliance. Thesemeasures, when fully implemented,will deliver a high degree of certaintyto all the stakeholders involvedin the packaging recycling loop.In particular, they will provideclarification of industry’s positionregarding the ‘full cost of recovery’debate, whilst committing all partiesto continue to seek the lowestpractical cost solutions for Ireland’srecycling efforts.As in all of these things, there has tobe a “but” - in this instance it is theabsolute requirement that no stoneis left unturned in eliminating thefairly high level of evasion that weknow is currently taking place -it must be made abundantly clearthat the days of so called “freeriders” are numbered. Repak has acommitment to continue to workclosely with the statutory bodiescharged with enforcing thepackaging regulations and to pushrelentlessly for a more vigorousregime of policing and enforcementof all aspects of the regulations.Sadly, past performance in this areahas sometimes left a lot to bedesired. However, in the spirit ofthe new beginning and the manyinnovative opportunities forimprovement afforded by these newarrangements, all the stakeholdersmust dedicate themselves to makingthe new arrangements deliver - forthe long term benefit of Ireland.Andrew HetheringtonMARCH 2007Turn to page 8 for more on the newdraft regulations2

Repak Green Christmas 2006/7 -Waste Packaging Recovery PerformanceNEWSRepak’s Green Christmas awarenesscampaign was a resounding successbuilding on previous successfulcampaigns.In terms of the overall householdwaste packaging recovered andrecycled in the previous GreenChristmas period of 2005/6 thatyielded upwards of 29,000 tonne ofhousehold waste packaging recycled;this Christmas period 2006/07provisional figures indicate thatoverall 5% more waste packaginghas been recycled than last year.To put it in more simple terms,30,500 tonnes approximately of wastepackaging are indicated to be recycledduring Green Christmas 2006/07.This would comprises in the region of:-• 34 Million Glass Bottles• 63 Million Plastic Bottles• 39 Million Steel Cans• 28 Million Aluminum Cans• 119 Million Cartons (Cereal Box)Repak is 10 Yearsold this year.Our anniversayedition of theRepak Review willbe out in July 2007Wearing fleece outfits made from recycled plastic bottles, models Darragh Hayes andRoz Lipsett were on hand to launch Repak Green Christmas 2006.Dates for the diaryService Providers Conference April 25th 2007Mullingar Park HotelEaster Campaign April 2007Repak Recycling Week 2007 Oct 1st - 7th 2007Repak Recycling Awards entry deadline May 18th 2007Repak Recycling Awards October 4th 2007The Four Seasons HotelFor more information log on to www.repak.ieReceiving their Repak Best Practice Award from Declan Martin, MembershipServices Manager, Repak, are Brendan McGuinness, Managing Director,Bulmers Ireland Limited and some of the Bulmers team.5

LOCALAUTHORITYNEWSNew Recycling Centre for MullingarA new state of the art Recycling Centre in Mullingar,(household waste only), was opened to the public onMonday 15th January 2007. Located at Zone C, ClonmoreBusiness Park, Mullingar, this will bring to two the numberof modern recycling centres in County Westmeath.The facility cost in the region of €1.3m to build.Capital funding of 75% of the total cost was contributedthrough central government (DoEHLG) with theremaining 25% provided by Westmeath County Council.The Environmental Protection Agency, through a cleanergreener production programme scheme (CGPP), has alsoprovided a grant of up to €30,000 for using recycledmaterials in the construction of the facility.“The Recycling Centre was built with the environment inmind” says PJ Carey, Senior Executive Engineer,Westmeath County Council. “The following materialswere used in its construction:• Recycled crushed concrete• Recycled asphalt plannings• Crumb rubber (from tyres)A wind turbine and solar panel system were incorporatedinto the construction by way of renewable energyresources. The wind turbine will power the electricalsockets and lights in the administration building whilstthe solar panels will heat the water”.Midlands based recycling firm Advanced EnvironmentalSolutions (AES), who have wide experience and expertisein the recycling industry, operate the site on behalf ofthe Council.Mullingar: Present at the opening of the CAS are from left:Mr PJ Carey, Senior Executive Engineer Westmeath County Council;Mr Derek Browne, General Manager AES; Councillor Jim Bourke;Councillor Joseph Flanagan, Catheoirlach; Mr Cormac Bradley,RPS Consulting Engineers, Sean Daly, F&F, Civil Engineering Ltd andMr Roibeard O’Ceallaigh, Acting Director of Services, Housing, Social &Culture, Environment, & Coole Area, Westmeath County Council.Noreen Gibney, Environmental Awareness Officer withWestmeath County Council commented: “The new sitehas been laid out in such a way as to make recycling aclean, enjoyable and convenient experience. Therecycling centre seems to be the place to be seen thesedays and is now becoming more of a social occasion thana weekly chore.”For further information on the site contact MullingarRecycling Centre 044-9344155 or Westmeath CountyCouncil on 044-9332226.The centre will open Monday to Saturday from 9.00amto 5.00pm. There is a small charge of €2.00 per car and€5.00 per car with trailer to use the centre.Accepted materials are outlined below. As newmarkets develop in the future further materials willalso be accepted.Accepted materials at the Mullingar Recycling CentreMaterialGlassPaperAccessoriesand partsElectronicSteel andAluminiumPlasticBeveragecartonsTextilesBatteriesand bulbsWaste oilsWhite goodsElectronicgoodsTimber &Green wasteScrap metaland rubberGas cylindersExamplesGreen, brown and clear glass bottles etcNewsprint/magazines, Cardboard andcardboard packaging, Mixed paper(junk-mail, envelopes, bills etc) andphone books, BooksVideos, tapes, CD’s, Mobile phonesand recordsFood cans (steel cans e.g. beans, peasand dog food cans), Beverage cans(aluminium cans e.g. soft drinks andbeer cans),Plastic bottlesTetra-pak containers(e.g. milk cartons, juice cartons),Reusable clothingHousehold batteries, Lead acid carbatteries, Fluorescent tubes and light bulbsCooking oilFridges, washing machines, cookers etc)TV’s, radios, vacuum cleaners,toasters etcGarden wasteWaste tyres6

New Recycling Centre for KellsLOCALAUTHORITYNEWSThe Kells Recycling Centre opened its gates to the public inJanuary 2007 at Lloyd Business Park, Cavan Rd, Kells.The biggest of its kind in county Meath, the state of theart centre is built on a three acre site and the concreteyard is 6000 sq. metres. The cost of the development hascome close to €1m, with a substantial amount of fundingfrom the Department of the Environment, Heritage andLocal Government.The Centre also houses the County’s only dedicatedEnvironmental Education Centre where members of thepublic can access information on a wide range ofEnvironmental issues including recycling, wastemanagement, home composting, vermi-composting,sustainable development, acid rain, air and waterpollution, climate change, energy management, wildlife,the built environment. Home compost units, stackingboxes and waste segregation units are available forpurchase at the centre.Visitors can drop in and pick up some leaflets, posters orto research their chosen topic. Throughout the year,regular exhibitions and demonstrations will be held at theEducation Centre. School visits can be arranged by callingthe Environmental Awareness Officer, Meath CountyCouncil at 046 9097200.The third centre of its kind in Meath, joining the Navanand Trim Recycling Centres, this new centre is expectedto serve the immediate area within a 10KM radius.In addition there have been many queries in relation tothe Kells Recycling Centre from as far afield as Cavan.Visitor numbers at the centre expected to grow steeplyover the coming weeks and months.Accepted materials at the Kells Recycling CentreMaterialGlassPaperElectronicAccessoriesand partsSteel andAluminiumPlasticBeveragecartonsTextilesBatteriesand bulbsWaste oilsWhite goodsElectronic goodsTimber &Green wasteScrap metalGas cylindersPaintsExamplesGlass bottles and jars, plate glassNewsprint/magazines, Cardboard andcardboard packaging, Mixed paper(junk-mail, envelopes, bills etc) andphone books, BooksDVD’s and CD’s, Mobile phonesand recordsFood cans (steel cans e.g. beans, peasand dog food cans), Beverage cans(aluminium cans e.g. soft drinks andbeer cans),Plastic bottles and bagsTetra-pak containers(e.g. milk cartons, juice cartons),Clothing and footwearHousehold batteries, fluorescent tubesand lampsCooking oilFridges, washing machines,cookers etc)TV’s, radios, vacuum cleaners,toasters etcGarden wasteHousehold gas cylindersFor more information, log on towww.meathrecyclingcentres.ie.Set on three acres, the new state of the art recycling centre in Kellsis the largest of it’s kind in Co. Meath and cost €1 m.7

NEWSNew Regulations to SupportPackaging Waste RecyclingMore producers to contribute to thecost of recyclingOn 16 Feb ‘07, the Irish Minister for the Environment,Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Dick Roche, T.Dpublished new consolidated draft Waste Management(Packaging) Regulations 2007. The draft regulations aimto optimise the recovery and recycling of packagingwaste in Ireland. The proposed amendments to thePackaging Regulations stem from Repak's successfulnegotiations, during the past two years, with theDepartment of the Environment and other key membersof the Irish National Strategy Group on Packaging WasteRecycling. The membership of this Group comprises IBEC,the Irish Waste Management Association, industryrepresentatives, local authorities and the EPA.Repak’s main aim in pursuing amendments to thePackaging regulations was to level the playing fieldand to bring more producers into the net by havingthem contribute to the cost of recovering and recyclingpackaging waste. Recycling rates for packaging wastehave been rising annually and likewise recycling costshave been increasing year on year. Repak advocated thatits members were paying a disproportionate amount ofthe costs of meeting the national recycling targets as the“de minimis” provisions of the Regulations exemptedproducers who were placing less than 25 tonnes ofpackaging on the market annually. Repak sought theabolition of the “de minimis” entirely to bring us into linewith most other European countries and the Irish WEEERegulations, however a compromise was reached withthe “de minimis” cut-off to be lowered to 10 tonnes.In effect, this amendment has the potential to bring inexcess of 2,000 new small producer members intoRepak membership, thereby spreading the burden ofcompliance in a more transparent and equitable manneracross more obligated producers.Further amendments as follows are also proposed to the‘self-compliance’ regime;• the removal of provisions whereby ‘major producers’could apply to cease take-back from the public.• where a ‘major producer’ opts to purchase packagingwaste in order to fulfil their recovery/recycling targets,a minimum 20% will have to be sourced from thepost-consumer waste stream. Any packaging wastepurchased must also be proportionate to the materialtypes of packaging supplied by the ‘major producer’.• the maximum ‘self compliance’ fee may be increasedon an annual basis having regard to increases in theConsumer Price Index.At the announcement of the draft Regulations theMinister was quoted as follows;"Packaging waste recycling has been a phenomenal successin Ireland. We need to ensure that the regulatory regime weput in place for the next number of years will underpinfurther progress in this area.”Repak CEO, Dr. Andrew Hetherington also commented,“these changes announced today will bring greater equity tothe current legislation, especially in bringing more potentialcompanies into the compliance net.‘Our members will be delighted with the changes tothe regulations which will increase the future fundingavailable for packaging recycling as we face steeper andharder to reach EU targets.”New Membership Update 2006By the end of 2006 we had certified 223 new members yielding €1.94 million in new membership income, bringingtotal membership income to nearly €24.0 million in 2006. The new membership income was well ahead of our originalbudget of €0.8 million. We invoiced 106 new regular members (those supplying statistics) at €1.631 million, and 162scheduled members yielding €0.33 million. Back fees still make up over 60% of new membership income.From February 19th to 25th, we ran a recruitment campaign similar to the one we ran pre-Christmas. On this occasionwe advertised solely on national radio with a series of 30sec adverts. Our chosen stations were Radio 1, Newstalk andToday FM.8

European NewsEUROPEANNEWSScotland Withdraws plastic bag taxAfter two years of investigation the Scottish Parliament has decided to withdraw its tax on plastic carrier bags. TheParliament’s environmental committee cited their reason for doing so as ‘it would produce no clear environmental benefits’.Scottish Industries have welcomed WRAP’sefforts in setting up a ‘bag for life’ scheme.CBC, the UK industry carrier bagconsortium, said that the moveproved that plastic bags were thebest environmental option, ‘providedwe encourage more people to reuseand recycle them’, said CBCChairman, Barry Turner. Mr. Turnerwent on to add that this newdevelopment was not to beconsidered as a win for the plasticbag industry but for the Scottishenvironment. Drawing examplesfrom Ireland’s own plastic bag tax,it was stated that in Ireland peoplewere forced to use greater volumesof bin liners, and if a similar lawcame about in Scotland this wouldresult in an additional 13,000 tonnesof waste going to landfill.David Tyson, chief executive of thepackaging and industrial filmsassociation (PIFA) has also welcomedthe ruling and is advocating theirproposed alliance with the UKenvironment minister, Ben Bradshawin formulating a joint environmentalcode with retailers in reduction,reusing and recycling. Mr Tyson alsoadded that the UK Department ofEnvironment and Food (DEFRA)discovered that eight out of tenhouseholds are already reusingplastic bags for everything frompet droppings to school lunchesand bin liners.British Polythene Industries plc,viewed another aspect of the rulingclaiming that the bill would not becompatible with EU law and wouldreduce already scarce manufacturingjobs and increase the risk of moreScottish businesses moving south.Allan Dryer of the ScottishEnvironmental Protection Agencywent on to say, ‘more use of paperbags would result in increasedcarbon dioxide emissions’.The UK Waste and Resources ActionsProgramme, (WRAP), is looking intothe ‘bag for life’ scheme, which willencourage customers to use strongreusable plastic bags - an initiativewhich has been welcomed byScottish Industry.UK WEEE Day set for July 1stHouseholds across Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be called to participate in ‘WEEE Day, a free WEEE take backprogramme, on July 1st 2007. The event comes almost two years after the 13th August 2005 deadline in the WEEE directive.The British Waste Electronic andEquipment Regulations, presentedto Parliament on December 12th,require equipment manufacturersand importers to join a collectivetake-back system by March 15th2007, so as to be ready for the Julystart date.Presenting the regulations toParliament, UK Science Minister,Malcolm Wicks said: ‘Electrical wasteis a growing environmental problemin the UK, with over two milliontonnes being dumped in landfill lastyear alone.’ ‘There is currently noincentive for those that producethem to care about the life cycle oftheir products. ‘These regulations willmean they can no longer shirk thisresponsibility.’Mr Wicks went on to congratulatethose producers who had factored inthe cost of recycling their productsinto the design process, ‘They arerecognising that caring about whathappens to the goods they sellneedn’t cost the earth.’Producer’s financial responsibilityfor managing most WEEE categorieswill also take effect on July 1st.The ministry is aiming to publishnew regulations that will obligatemanufacturers to finance thecollection and treatment of scrapappliances containing hazardous9substances such as CFCs droppedoff at municipal collection pointsbetween April 1st and June30th 2007.

NEWSRepak Awarded Vodafone Passion forthe World by South Dublin ChamberAt a special presentation ceremony on Thursday1st February, Vodafone and South DublinChamber announced Repak as the first businessrecipient of a Vodafone Passion for the WorldAround Us Award.The Passion for the World Around Us Awardsare run by Vodafone in partnership with SouthDublin Chamber and 17 other Chambersnationwide. The awards recognise and rewardpeople and businesses who make an effort toimprove their local communities and who havebeen successful in making a positivecontribution to the world around them.Repak received a certificate and a speciallycommissioned, handmade award designedby Irish artist Michele Hannan at a specialpresentation in Repak Headquarters on1st February 2007.Repak was awarded for what was recognisedas ‘an outstanding achievement in creating apowerful brand for recycling, and positivechange’. Repak’s focus on environmentalprotection and recycling as well as highlyeffective awareness campaigns including thosespecifically targeted at school children were allcited as reasons for their achievement.Brenda Hunt, Vodafone Corporate ResponsibilityExecutive said, “Repak’s admirable commitmentto their work is an example for the rest of us tofollow and the company has undoubtedly madea positive impact in South Dublin”.Pictured (L-R)at the recent presentation were Peter Byrne- Chief Executive, South Dublin Chamber, AndrewHetherington - CEO, Repak and Brenda Hunt,Regional & Community Relations Exec Vodafone.‘Repak are delighted to receive this award’announced Repak CEO, Mr. AndrewHetherington. ‘Particularly in this, our tenth yearof operation and especially on the recentconfirmation from the EPA that Repak havehelped Ireland achieve and well exceed its2005 EU packaging recovery and recyclingtarget of 50%.’ ‘Repak have invested over€100 million of our member’s money insupporting Local Authorities and privatecollectors to achieve a packaging recycling rateof over 60%.’ ‘This Vodafone passion awardacknowledges the role Repak subsidies andeducational programs have played in changingour national recycling behaviour.’Repak Ltd.Red Cow Interchange Estate1 Ballymount RoadClondalkinDublin 22.Tel: 01 467 0190Fax: 01 403 0929E-mail: info@repak.ieWebsite: www.repak.ieCONTACT DETAILS FOR REPAK’S MANAGEMENT TEAMMembership Services Team:Fax 01-4670196Declan Martindeclan.martin@repak.ieLiam Moloneyliam.moloney@repak.ieHelen Searsonhelen.searson@repak.ieTelephone for all:01-467 0190Statistics Team:Fax 01-4030929Arthur O’Connorarthur.oconnor@repak.ieBrenda Keoghbrenda.keogh@repak.ie12Sales :Fax 01-4670196Darrell Crowedarrell.crowe@repak.ieIan Blackian.black@repak.ieSandra Whelansandra.whelan@repak.ieNuala Tierney (CEO Office)nuala.tierney@repak.ie Fax 01-4670197Collections/Local AuthorityTeam:Fax 01-4030929Bill Dolanbill.dolan@repak.ieMichael Hehirmichael.hehir@repak.ieDenis Fitzpatrickdenis.fitzpatrick@repak.ieUna O’Callaghanuna.ocallaghan@repak.iePRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Loman Cusack Design, Dublin