Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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586. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is any obligation on multiples using own brands to use recyclable packaging on own brand products; if not, his plans to introduce such an obligation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6080/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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There is no specific obligation in the EU Packaging Directive, which is transposed in Ireland by the European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014, on multiples using own branding to use recyclable packaging.

The Packaging Directive covers all packaging placed on the European market and all packaging waste, whether it is used or released at industrial, commercial, office, shop, service, household or any other level, regardless of the material used.

Under the Regulations, at least 60% of packaging waste must be recovered and 55% must be recycled.  The most recent Waste Packaging Statistics for Ireland published by the EPA in May 2016 show that Ireland has met and exceeded the overall packaging waste recovery rate and the recycling rate targets since they came into force.