Issue 1 - 2008 - Repak

Carbon Calculator LaunchEUROPEANNEWSTextPictured LR: Dr. Andrew Hetherington, CEO, Repak, Ms. Tricia Kenny, Director of Carbon Action Irelandand Mr. John Gormley TD, Minister for the Environment.Text 3 ColumnIssue 2 • 2006Issue 1 • 2008Inside this issue:Page 2Page 3Page 4CEO AddressPackaging Waste PreventionProgramme UpdateDates for the DiaryNSGPWR Update2008 Repak ServiceProviders ConferencePage 5 EPA Waste Database 2006European NewsPage 6Page 7Page 8Repak outline preventionstrategies to Irish drinks sectorRepak Members Conference 2008Repak 10th Anniversaryis markedRepak in partnershipwith An Taisce Green SchoolsRepak launch first public onlineCarbon CalculatorNew Members Update

CEO ADDRESSCEO AddressRepak given new mandateRepak has been given a new and expandedmandate by Government to continue to leadIreland’s packaging progress towardsexcellence.Environment Minister John Gormley hasextended Repak's remit as an approvedbody under the Waste Management(Packaging) Regulations. This means thatRepak will continue to assist Irish business tomeet their packaging recycling obligations.Granting the re-approval, Minister GormleyGranting thepaid tribute to Repak’s performance overthe previous ten years of its operation.re-approval,“Over the period of the previous approval,Minister Gormley paid packaging waste recovery rates rose fromtribute to Repak’s 14% in 1998 to close to 60% in 2005,testament to the central role of Repakperformance overLimited in bringing about a transformationthe previous ten years in recycling performance in Ireland”.of its operation.The Minister also requested that Repaktake a lead role in packaging wasteprevention. The National Strategy Group on PackagingWaste Recycling, which is currently co-chaired by Repakand the Department of the Environment, would continueto be an important driver in the development of effectivewaste prevention initiatives by industry. Specifically, herequested Repak to lead the development of a Courtauldtypecommitment for the retail sector that will seek tosupport the twin objectives of designing out packaginggrowth and delivering an absolute reduction in packagingwaste in an Irish context by specified dates. Repak hasactively taken up this challenge and is working closelywith industry and retail Ireland to deliver the requiredresults.The minister’s approval accompanied the signing of thenew Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 2007,which will come into effect at the end of March 2008.The Regulations provide for a reduction from 25 tonnes to10 tonnes to the de minimis (the thresholds to determinemajor producer status), and this will extend the range ofcompanies required to comply with the legislation. Furtheramendments are provided for the self-compliance regime,so that self-compliers do not have an unfavourableadvantage over Repak members in funding packagingrecycling. Repak will continue to lobby to ensure that thenew Regulations are actively enforced and that free-ridersare fully brought within the scope of the law.This will be particularly appropriate in light of theMinister's decision to appoint consultants to carry outan international review of waste management policy.The comprehensive review, which is likely to take a yearto complete, will examine areas such as the statutoryframework for waste management regulation, includingpossible regulation of the waste management sector,planning and co-ordination issues, the effectiveapplication of the producer pays principle and theprospects for achieving Ireland’s landfill diversion targets.The review will also give early examination to the use ofdisposal levies, including deposit and refund systems,which could have significant implications for Irishbusiness, particularly those in the production, distributionand retailing of beverage containers.Repak has appointed Percharts to conduct a similarreview with an international context.Repak will keep a watching brief over these developmentsto ensure that packaging waste recycling continues to beoperated in the most cost efficient manner.Dr Andrew HetheringtonChief Executive2

Packaging WastePrevention Programme UpdateNEWSDespite Ireland’s outstanding performance inincreasing packaging recycling rates in the eleven yearssince Repak was established, there is now an increasingemphasis, both within Ireland and across Europe, toallocate resources to the prevention of packaging anda reduction in its use.Repak’s Packaging Waste Prevention Programme aims toassist Irish businesses with positive and practical ways toreduce packaging and to promote those achievements toa wider audience.The Packaging Waste Prevention Programme is partof the National Waste Prevention Programmeadministered by the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) and is co-funded by Repak and the EPA with thesupport of the Department of Environment, Heritageand Local Government.Programme measures include studies, publications,seminars, best practice initiatives and the Repak RecyclingAwards, which highlight examples of how Repak membersare implementing Prevention Initiatives and includingwaste prevention as part of their normal operations.of the packaging waste legislation and how to complywith them.Other measures of the programme include thedevelopment of a ‘Packaging Waste Prevention TrainingCourse’ and the compilation of a ‘Prevention Toolkit’.Both of these measures are designed to equip participantsto make significant change in their own companies withregard to excessive packaging where it exists.Apart from working on these specific measures withinthe Prevention Programme, Repak are working veryclosely with the Irish retail sector and other specific sectorswithin the manufacturing industry to examine ways ofpreventing the growth of packaging and to reduce theamount of packaging waste going to landfill. The aim ofthis co-ordinated approach is to encourage all key playersto optimise their packaging systems and to provide themwith the tools to be able to achieve this.Studies to be published in 2008 will include a ConsumerResearch Study, which will examine the behaviour andpreferences of consumers with regard to packaging andwaste prevention.A series of seminars is currently underway with ChambersIreland. These seminars explain the implications of therevised Packaging Regulations and offer advice toparticipants on how to prevent unnecessary packaging.The ‘Prevent and Save Brochure’ initially launched in2006, is presently being updated to include newexamples of Prevention Best Practice within industry, andwill also include advice on the ‘Essential Requirements’Pictured at the Repak / Chambers Ireland Packaging PreventionSeminars for SMEs held in Navan are Colm Munnelly, Repak,Kathleen O’Donoghue Ryan, Repak, Eamon Gavigan, President,Navan Chamber, Celine Horner, EPADates for the DiaryFebruary 2008 Entry forms for Member and collection service categories for Repak Recycling Awards 2008March 21st - 25th: Repak Easter AppealApril 2nd: Repak Service Providers Conference 2008,Osprey Hotel, Naas.May 15th: Entries close for Repak Recycling Awards 2008June 19th: Repak Members Conference 2008,Hilton Hotel, Malahide Road, Dublin 17.October 6th-12th: Repak Recycling Week 2008October 9th: Repak Recycling Awards 2008,Four Seasons, Dublin 4.December 23rd - January 4th:Repak Green Christmas 20083

NEWSNSGPWR UpdateThe next meeting of the National Waste Strategy Group for Packaging Waste Recycling, (NSGPWR), is scheduledto take place on 14 Apr ‘08. This will be the first meeting of this group since May 07. In the interim, the politicallandscape has changed significantly, with a new Government in situ and a new Green Minister for the Environment.Most of the work of the NSGPWR in the past two yearswas directed at reviewing and amending the existingWaste Management (Packaging) Regulations. MinisterGormley finally signed off on the new consolidated WasteManagement (Packaging) Regulations 2007, which comeinto effect on 1 Apr next.The NSGPWR will now be entering a new phase, wherebyit can now concentrate on its primary task of developing aclear strategy to ensure that Ireland continues to meet itsEU commitments for the recovery and recycling ofpackaging waste.The Minister has indicated that he will be attending thefirst meeting of the NSGPWR. This is a welcomedevelopment in that it will reposition the NSGPWR andshould reinvigorate all stakeholders to work together toachieve a successful strategy from now to 2011.The Minister has also indicated that he intends to broadenthe membership of the NSGPWR to cater for a widerrange of views, particularly from a consumer andenvironmental perspective. On behalf of the private sectorand in conjunction with stakeholders, Repak will also befilling a number of vacancies on the NSGPWR which havearisen in the past year.Repak, in a spirit of cooperation and partnership with allstakeholders, is looking forward to commencing this nextphase of work and to dealing with the challenges whichthis phase will undoubtedly present.2008 Repak Service Providers Conference10.00 Mr. Stuart Foster - Project Manager, RECOUP.“Waste Plastic Recycling Markets -a European and Global Perspective10.30 Ms. Martina Duignan - TFS Co-ordinator,National TFS Office.“Waste Packaging Recycling and the TFSRegulations Requirements”The 2008 Repak Service Providers Conference is due totake place on April 2nd at the Osprey Hotel in Naas,Co. Kildare. The Theme for this year’s event is ‘PackagingRecovery towards 2011 and includes presentations onTrans-Frontier shipment regulations and an overview of theplastic recycling markets both European and International.For further information you can log on to www.repak.ie orcontact the Repak offices directly on 01-4670190.2008 Repak Service Providers Conference Programme9.00 Morning Coffee and Registration9.30 Dr. Andrew Hetherington -Chief Executive Repak Ltd.Opening Address “Repak and PackagingRecovery Towards 2011”?11.00 Coffee Break11.15 Mr. Bill Dolan - Collections ServicesManager, Repak.“Service Providers and PackagingWaste Recycling Towards 2011”11.45 Mr. Tony Killeen TD, - Minister of State, DoEHLG.“New Packaging Regulations and Waste Policy”12.15 Mr. David Perchard - Perchards Consultancy (UK).“Waste Arising vs. Prevention -Supply Chain Benchmarking”12.45 Open Forum13.00 Lunch4

EPA Waste Database 2006NEWSThe 2006 EPA report shows that while recycling is on theup, the diversion of waste from landfill has decreased.• Quantity of biodegradable municipal waste is upby 15 per cent• Quantity of municipal waste up by 11 per cent.• Quantity of recycled municipal waste up by18 per cent• Quantity of recycled household waste upby 14 per cent• Quantity of recycled packaging waste up by 8 per cent• The quantity of municipal waste sent to landfillincreased by 8 per cent. Urgent action is required toreverse this trend if Ireland is to have any chance ofmeeting the landfill diversion targets for 2010 set bythe Landfill Directive.• The collection of 7.4kg of waste electrical andelectronic equipment per capita is almost double theEU target of 4kg per capita.• Construction and demolition waste accounted for 55per cent of all waste.Dr. Padraic Larkin, Deputy Director General of theEnvironmental Protection Agency, said: “This report showsthat the amount of waste going to landfill is increasing,not decreasing as we would have expected if Ireland is tomeet its EU commitment to landfill less than one milliontonnes of biodegradable municipal waste by 2010”.Despite the increases in the actual quantity of wasterecycled, the rate of municipal waste recycling onlyincreased from 34 per cent in 2005 to 36 per cent in2006. The recycling rate for household waste remained at22 per cent in the same period despite the roll-out in allparts of the country of two-bin and three-bin systems forhousehold waste collection and the large scale use ofbring banks and civic amenity sites.Dr. Gerry Byrne, EPA Programme Manager, said,“Overall, there is very good progress to report on therecycling front. Householders and businesses are willingto recycle once they are given the appropriate incentivesand services.”“Prevention of packaging, especially the difficult-to-recyclepackaging, is the environmentally sustainable way ofincreasing the packaging recycling rate”, continuesDr. Byrne, “Repak is already engaged in a packagingprevention programme and should continue to lead thissector and provide new impetus to its members to‘prevent and save’.”Tonnes of packaging waste recycled600,000500,000400,000300,000200,000100,0000Growth in packaging waste recycling, 2001-20062001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006European NewsGerman Packaging amendment closes in on FreeridersAm amendment to the German Packaging Ordinancewhich was agreed by the German Federal Cabinet inSeptember is making it obligatory for all companiesmanufacturing or distributing household packaging to takepart in a takeback (dual) system.This ruling will come into force in January 2008 after ithas been passed through the federal Council.The German Ministry for the Environment is confidentthat this new dual system will get freeriders back into thesystem. “It will mean that each participant will pay lessmoney as the costs will be split between more people’.5The essence of the amendment was that all end userpackages (not including those collected by self -compliers)have to be licensed by a dual system.If licensed packages are taken back by the seller ordistributor they can be deducted from the licence fee.Producers/distributors or filled packages have to declarethe amount of end user packaging put on the market andthe licensing of these packages.The concept of this Fifth Amendment was presented inSeptember 2006 and got positive reactions from allinterested groups.Source: European Environment & Packaging Law Sept 2007

NEWSRepak outline preventionstrategies to Irish drinks sectorStrategies to minimise and prevent packaging waste in the beverage industry formed the theme for aRepak presentation to the Irish drinks industry in February.Addressing a joint meeting of the LVA, VFI, Drinks Ireland,NOFFLA and the Beverage Council, Repak outlined aseries of measures through which primary and secondarypackaging associated with the supply of bottles andbeverage cans could be reduced. A study by Repak of anumber of bottling plants showed that measures such asgreater use of re-usable bulk containers and IBCs,examination of the effectiveness of layer sheets, topsheets and pallet dividers, use of CHEP pallets andgauge reduction could significantly reduce overallpackaging and waste.The study also highlighted a number of threats to moreeffective packaging reduction strategies. These includedmoves towards one-trip rather than returnable bottles,imported product in one-trip packaging, importednon-standard bottles and an increase in the practice ofreturnable bottles being crushed rather than returned tothe bottler.Repak also highlighted the possibility of a depositand levy system being introduced by the Minister forthe Environment, and proposed that the drinks industryshould consider strategies to address packaging andpackaging waste in the sector.Repak Members Conference 2008FACING THE CHALLENGE - “THE PROGRESSION OFPACKAGING AND RECYCLING IN IRELAND”Hilton Dublin Airport Hotel,Northern Cross -Jct. of N32 & Malahide Road, Dublin 17Thursday 19th June 2008,9.00am - 1.00pm, (Buffet Lunch provided)While recycling is reaching a mature stage, a newapproach to the management of the environment isemerging. This will have a significant bearing on how Irishbusiness manages its future production decisions:• How to cut back on the production of packaging• How to achieve higher recycling targets• How to make the packaging and production processmore amenable to the environmental agenda• What new approaches are Government adoptingThis major conference will deal in a comprehensive waywith these and other issues. It will identify problems andoffer a targeted range of solutions designed to help yousave on your packaging and recycling costsKeynote addresses from the Minister for the Environmentand leading industry speakers will focus on the followingvital issues:• The Government agenda• Deposits and levies on packaging -solution or confusion?• The role of Repak in facing new challenges on behalfof Irish industry• Practical measures to help you save on your packagingproduction and recycling costsThe Repak Members Conference is a must for allcompanies who want to improve their efficiency in theareas of packaging and packaging recycling. How toreserve your place at the Repak Conference:By email to www.repak.ie giving both your name andcompany details orTelephone Teresa O’Donovan at 01 467 0190Closing date: 30th April 2008Pictured at the recent Packaging Prevention seminar in Naas areColm Munnelly and Kathleen O’Donoghue-Ryan, Repak, Robert Mehigan,President Naas Chamber of Commerce and David Dodd, EPA.6

Repak 10th Anniversary is markedNEWSIn late January, Adrian Goodrich, Repak’s chairman, hosteda celebratory members’ dinner at Dublin’s Westin Hotel tomark Repak’s 10th anniversary as Ireland’s packagingcompliance scheme. Attending the function wererepresentatives of Repak’s founding members who set upthe voluntary producer responsibility scheme back in 1997has the wind at its back and is looking forward to asecond decade of steady and solid progress”.As announced at the Repak Awards dinner, the attendeeswere each presented with a print of a speciallycommissioned seascape by Irish artist John Hurley.Repak’s CEO, Dr. Andrew Hetherington welcomed theattendees and through them, extended to the widermembership his warm appreciation for their financialbacking and moral support during the decade. “I thankyou for your unstinting support for Repak that has seenIreland rise to the very pinnacle of the EU packagingrecycling league”, he said.Adrian Goodrich recalled Repak’s early years which hedescribed as ‘a roller coaster ride’. “The task before us in1997 seemed insurmountable”, he said. “Today, RepakRepak Founder Members who were honored at a recentdinner at Dublin’s Westin Hotel.Repak in partnership with An Taisce Green SchoolsRepak are delighted to announce their new role as leadsponsor of the An Taisce Green Schools programme,committing to a €1 million sponsorship package.With over 2,800 schools now in the programme inIreland, Repak will use this support in keeping Green-Schools initiative at the forefront of environmentaleducation and in helping achieve the Irish Government’swaste reduction and climate change targets. Speaking onbehalf of Repak, Chief Executive Andrew Hetheringtonsaid “this 5 year sponsorship package is a great fit forRepak as we and Green-Schools share the common goalof driving forward the recycling agenda and ensuring wecare for the long term future of our environment. Wehope through Repak’s sponsorship and direct supportGreen-Schools can grow to be an even greater successthan it is today.” Repak join Coca Cola who havesupported Green-Schools since it began ten years ago andThe Wrigley Company who became sponsors a year later.Repak takes over as lead sponsor from Greenstar whohave supported Green-Schools for the past three years.A series of green flag award ceremonies took place inFebruary where a further 158 Green Flags were awardedto Montessori, Primary, Secondary and Special schools fortheir good environmental management practices. Thisbrings the number of schools flying the flag in Ireland to1,277, which represents nearly one third of all schools inthe country. Speaking at the ceremonies, Green-SchoolsManager Cathy Joyce said “It is so important toacknowledge the great work going on all over the countryin Green Schools.” “Students, teachers and whole schoolcommunities are taking real action and making a positivedifference. They are an inspiration to us all.”Along with Green Schools Repak have also renewedtheir commitments to the National Spring Cleancampaign and also to the National Tidy Towns awards,where they sponsor the Regional and Best PresentedBring Bank Awards.Pictured at the Green Schools sponsor launch are pupils from OurLady Victories, Ballymun and St. Michaels in Ballyfermot, Pat Oliver,Director for Education Activities, An Taisce, Mr. John Gormley,Minister for the Environment and Darrell Crowe, Sales andMarketing Manager, Repak.7

NEWSRepak launch first publiconline Carbon CalculatorHouseholders all around the country can nowcalculate their exact carbon footprint throughthe first Irish publicly accessible online carboncalculator for households, using RoI data.The carbon calculator can be accessed throughthe Repak website (www.repak.ie) and allows aresident to calculate how much carbon they useby inputting details of activities they perform intheir daily routine. It also provides hints and tipson how people can reduce their carbon footprint.The calculator allows users to input specific detailsabout their homes and their lives. It assessesheating methods in the household, calculatesenergy consumption, and investigates the varioustypes of insulation and lighting being used.This calculator will permit householders toinvestigate the impact that transportation usagehas on their carbon footprint, from private andpublic transport to international flights. When anindividual fills in all these details they are instantlyprovided with a monthly breakdown of carbonemissions, broken down into three separatesections, Home Energy Usage, Transport andFlights. They are also provided with acomparative average for their particular livingsituation and practical hints and tips on how eachhousehold can reduce their carbon footprint.The Household Calculator is the first in a suitebeing developed by Repak. Repak will shortlylaunch carbon calculators for schools and forbusinesses which produce product packaging.Commenting on the launch of the carboncalculator, Andrew Hetherington, CEO of Repaksaid “One of the key aspects of the calculator isthat it provides each household suggestions andtips on practical ways in which they can reducetheir carbon footprint and recycling is one way inwhich people can have a serious impact oncarbon emissions.”Also at the launch, Minister for Environment,Heritage and Local Government, John Gormleycommented ”Repak's carbon calculator is thelatest example of the excellent work they do topromote recycling and the environment”. “Eachof us can further reduce our own carbon footprintby reducing the amount of packaging weconsume and recycling as much as possible”.Repak Ltd.Red Cow Interchange Estate1 Ballymount RoadClondalkinDublin 22.Tel: 01 467 0190Fax: 01 403 0929E-mail: info@repak.ieWebsite: www.repak.ieNew Members UpdateSince our last edition of theRepak Review, new membersto Repak include thefollowing:TK MaxxRiver Island Clothing(Ireland) Ltd;Truvo (Golden Pages)Pembroke DistributorsTM BlindsCONTACT DETAILS FOR REPAK’S MANAGEMENT TEAMMembership Services Team:Fax 01-4670196Declan Martindeclan.martin@repak.ieBob Cullenbob.cullen@repak.ieHelen Searsonhelen.searson@repak.iePackaging Prevention:Colm Munnellycolm.munnelly@repak.ieStatistics Team:Fax 01-4030929Arthur O’Connorarthur.oconnor@repak.ieBrenda Keoghbrenda.keogh@repak.ieDavid Sharpdavid.sharp@repak.ieNuala Tierney (CEO Office)nuala.tierney@repak.ieFax 01-46701978Sales :Fax 01-4670196Darrell Crowedarrell.crowe@repak.ieIan Blackian.black@repak.ieSandra Whelansandra.whelan@repak.ieTelephone for all:01-467 0190Collections/Local Authority Team: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