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

the EPA figures. Growth declines in the next year also for the Repak members. 229
Latest EPA data suggests that the 2007 growth figure would be marginally less than
the figure shown for Repak members. The period covered by this data is too short for
one to draw any conclusive observations from it.
The EEA identifies three packaging waste prevention measures which have been
created within the policy framework to minimise packaging waste generation (see
Table 12-4). 230 The producer responsibility requirements in relation to packaging
separation and collection and the funding of packaging awareness raising campaigns
are administrative measures identified in the report, along with the economic
incentive provided by the plastic bag levy. The plastic bag levy is described in more
detail in Annex 27.0. In relation to packaging waste prevention, the EEA report notes
that:
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“The plastic bag levy aims to reduce the amount of plastic bags used and thus
has a clear preventative objective.”
Table 12-4: Intended Impacts of Policy Measures in Ireland
Measure
Producer
responsibility
/Repak
Awareness
raising
campaigns
Year of
introduction
1997
Plastic bag levy 2001
Landfill levy 2002
Ban on landfilling of
particular wastes
Obligation on
producers to
segregate
packaging waste
and have it recycled
National Waste
Prevention
Programme
1999–2002,
2003
2003
(some LA’s
started earlier)
2003
2004
Purpose/targets
To help member companies
meet their packaging waste
management obligations.
To raise awareness.
To reduce the number of plastic
bags used annually.
To achieve national targets for
the diversion of waste away
from landfill towards recycling
options.
To divert waste away from
landfill as there is a shortage of
landfill capacity.
To ensure that packaging waste
materials are not mixed and that
all packaging waste generated
by producers (as defined in the
legislation) is recycled.
To promote waste prevention
and minimisation through a
broad range of instruments.
Relation to the objectives of
the directive
To meet the recycling and
recovery targets of the
packaging directive.
To promote a greater
appreciation of the impact
of personal behavior and
highlight steps to reduce the
impact on the environment.
Prevention of plastics
waste.
To reduce final disposal of
waste and support the
recovery/recycling targets.
To reduce final disposal of
waste and support the
recovery/recycling targets.
To support
recovery/recycling targets.
Prevention of waste.
Source: EEA (2005) Effectiveness of Packaging Waste Management Systems in Selected Countries: An
EEA Pilot Study, EEA Report No 3/2005.
229 International Review of Waste Management Policy - Presentation to TOBIN Consulting Engineers.
230 EEA (2005) Effectiveness of Packaging Waste Management Systems in Selected Countries: An EEA
Pilot Study, EEA Report No 3/2005