Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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220. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking to encourage producers of goods to reduce the amount of packaging; if he will carry out a pilot study to establish what packaging waste consumers know they do not need; if he will widely advertise the provision of composting facilities, classes in composting for persons and communities by local authorities, and the Stop Food Waste campaign to reduce and eliminate the need for collection of organic waste; if he will fund composting facilities for communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18441/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014 aim to facilitate the achievement of targets for recovery of packaging waste established by EU Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste. They also impose obligations on producers who supply packaging.

Repak, as the approved Compliance Scheme for Packaging in Ireland, fulfil these obligations on behalf of its members who represent the majority of packaging producers in Ireland. Repak employ an expert team of Packaging Technologists to assist companies in optimising their packaging systems and to prevent packaging waste, in line with their producer responsibility obligations. They achieve this by working directly with Government, environmental agencies and industry to deliver programmes that reduce the amount of packaging placed onto the Irish market. Repak technologists work directly with companies to identify areas where packaging waste can be prevented or minimised. On-site surveys are carried out and 'Packaging Optimisation Reports' are compiled that guide member companies through the opportunities they have to improve their packaging systems and to reduce their packaging waste. This saves material and money for the companies involved, and in turn helps to reduce the overall amount of packaging placed on the Irish market.

Repak also carry out work in relation to consumer awareness. Since 2002, Repak has run key educational campaigns, targeted at consumer awareness and encouraging recycling. PR and media campaigns for consumer awareness take place regularly around key consumption and shopping periods (Easter and Christmas). These campaigns are nation-wide and across media, advertising, digital and social media channels. In addition, it promotes an Annual Repak Recycling Week in October, where the aim is to educate consumers on key issues on packaging recycling (from contamination, to better recycling habits at home and at work). It also collaborates with members (e.g. Cadbury's, IKEA, etc.) to extend a broader recycling message on packaging and glass recycling nation-wide with marketing communication campaigns across advertising, public relations, digital and social media.

Thanks to such initiatives, Ireland has been compliant with all statutory packaging recovery targets set since 2001 and continues to exceed our EU targets.

The successful prevention of food waste and the optimal methodology for managing such waste when it arises is dependent on appropriate education and awareness measures being introduced to support households. In this regard, my Department has worked with the Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland to develop a website, www.brownbin.ie, to provide the public with the information required to use the brown bin appropriately, including advice on food waste prevention and home composting. I am confident that initiatives such as this can assist the public in the diversion of their food waste towards more beneficial uses and ensuring that full value can be derived from this resource.

Furthermore, my Department continues to support the Local Authority Prevention Network (LAPN) through the National Waste Prevention Programme. The LAPN aims to build capacity in local authorities for promoting waste prevention at a local and grassroots level for the benefit of their regions and many of their programmes focus on food waste, including awareness raising campaigns, on-site work with businesses, information stands at festivals, events and public locations. Their "Stop Food Waste Challenge" targets householders and small business through a mix of national promotion on food waste prevention (TV, radio, social media, newspaper articles).

The Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund, which has operated since 1997, also promotes sustainable development by assisting small-scale environmental projects at local level. These projects involve partnership arrangements between local authorities and various local groups, including community groups, schools and environmental NGOs and have been used to support small-scale community projects, including the development of community composting facilities.