Packaging Waste Compliance Requirement in Ireland

Since 1997 Irish legislation has placed the responsibility for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste on those who handle packaging at any stage of the supply chain.

A ‘Producer’ of packaging waste is a business who, for the purpose of trade or otherwise in the course of business sells or otherwise supplies other persons packaging material, packaging or packaged products.  A ‘Major Producer’ is a ‘Producer’ with an annual turnover greater than €1 million and who supplies packaging / packaged goods onto the Irish market exceeding 10 tonnes per year.

‘Major Producers’ have two options for compliance with the Irish Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 1997/2007:

• Self Comply
• Join Repak

There are significant cost implications associated with both options.