International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

Data from both Repak and self-compliers reporting to their Local Authority are both
returned to the EPA as the overall agency collating the data.
An EEA Report flags the methodology which has been used to generate packaging
statistics: 226
209
“The packaging statistics are based partly on compositional analysis of
landfilled household and commercial waste and questionnaire surveys among
recycling (and recovery) companies. In keeping with the need for continuous
improvement, and to address concerns about the reliability of the
methodology, the EPA is testing a new methodology. 70–80 % of the
packaged goods consumed in Ireland are imported, mostly from the UK,
showing that Ireland's estimated per capita packaging consumption, 40 %
above that of the UK, may well be an overestimate. A consultancy study led by
Perchards consultancy, London suggests that the previous methodology used
in Ireland has resulted in some over-estimate of arisings. A research project is
in progress with the aim of developing a methodology for determining
quantities of packaging placed on the market”.
It has also been flagged in the 2006 EPA National Waste Report that: 227
“It has been noted […] that there are concerns with regard to the classification
by the waste industry of municipal waste being disposed at landfill. […] The
EPA is committed to researching this issue in 2008 and ensuring that the
landfill of waste is accurately and consistently reported.”
This concern of the EPA’s has to be taken in context of the reporting being dependent
on composition data to monitor the tonnages of packaging waste generated, with
different compositions used for different waste streams.
In the National Waste Report 2007 published at the end of 2008, the section on
packaging waste makes the comment: 228
“The new (municipal waste) composition studies also provide comprehensive
information on the contamination of the different packaging waste streams.
Up to 20%, or more in some cases, of the weight of packaging waste is food
and food residues and these residues are discounted from the packaging
figures on both the landfill and recovery side of the equation.”
Whilst this might be scientifically accurate, it would also be incumbent on all parties
to understand the level of contamination of packaging sent for recycling in order to
ensure that the reported recycling rates are consistent with the deductions made for
contamination. The issue of materials quality is one which, generally, is important for
Ireland to address, especially in the context of its dependence on export markets for
reprocessing of collected materials.
226 EEA (2005) Effectiveness of Packaging Waste Management Systems in Selected Countries: An EEA
Pilot Study, EEA Report No3/2005
227 EPA (2007) National Waste Report Report 2006, Wexford: EPA.
228 EPA (2009) National Waste Report Report 2007, Wexford: EPA.
International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes