Waste Management Packaging Regulations 2007
Waste Management Packaging Regulations 2007 are designed to assist and promote the recycling of packaging waste in order to facilitate the achievement of the packaging waste recovery targets set for Ireland. All producers of packaging waste must:
- Segregate packaging waste arising on their own premises (back-door packaging waste) into the various waste streams i.e. aluminium, fibreboard, glass, paper, plastic, steel, wood etc.
- Return used packaging to the producer.
- Recover or arrange for the recovery of the packaging waste.
- Arrange for its collection by a authorised recovery operator.
How do the Regulations apply to your business?
The Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations, 2007 impose certain obligations on all ‘producers’ of packaging and additional obligations on ‘major producers’
- ‘Producers’ of packaging are people who in the course of business supply to others packaging material e.g. shops, pubs, supermarkets, fast-food outlets, wholesalers, manufactures, importers, exporters (both Repak and non-Repak members). All such are referred to as ‘producers’ of packaging.
- 'Major Producers’ of packaging are suppliers who annually place more than 10 tonnes of packaging (other than packaging for reuse or export) on the Irish market and have an annual turnover of more than €1million (‘Turnover’ for the purpose of these Regulations means "the amounts derived from the provision (including exports) of goods and services falling within the producers ordinary activities after deduction of trade discounts and VAT".)
As pubs and restaurants now fall under the scope of the Regulations, they must be able to estimate the weight of packaging consumed on the premises.
As a major producer, if you exceed 10 tonnes annually which equates to approximately 200kg of packaging a week, you have specific obligations.
In order to meet the main obligations under the Regulations, major producers have two options:
Option 1 - Participation in an approved recovery scheme
- By joining the approved body – REPAK (01) 4670190, companies are exempt from the compliance steps outlined in option 2, REPAK assumes responsibility.
Option 2 - Self-compliance route
- Register with Laois County Council – application must be accompanied by the appropriate fee* and a three year plan.
- Renew the registration every year before 31st January– application must be accompanied by the appropriate fee a report and a revised three year plan if appropriate.
*The prescribed fee under the Regulations is calculated at €15 per tonne of packaging and packaging material supplied, subject to a minimum of €500 and a maximum of €15,000 per premises.
Packaging sold and consumed on a producers premises also comes within the scopes of the Regulations. Bottles sold and consumed in pubs, restaurants, clubs and hotels are now subject to the requirements of the Regulations.
Please note it is an offence for a producer to dispose of such packaging waste without first making it available for recovery. If you require further information or a Self Complier registration form please contact the undersigned at 057 8674316 or email amarshall@laoiscoco.ie.
Further information is available on
Waste Management Packaging Regulations 2007
Preparing a 3 year plan
Self Compliers - Initial Registration Form
Self Compliers - Renewal Registration Form
Quarterly Report for Registered Producers
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