Written answers

Tuesday, 17 April 2018

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Recycling Policy

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1187. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the action he is taking to promote the development of facilities here for the recycling of soft plastics; and the requirements set down in respect of the recycling industry to have such facilities or to have the option of subcontracting this type of material to companies in another country in which soft plastics can be recycled. [16095/18]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Waste Management Act 1996 and the Waste Management (Licensing) Regulations 2004 govern the process under which waste licence applications can be made to the EPA.  This is an open and transparent process and aims to strike a balance between the interests of all stakeholders.  I have no function in relation to the assessment of licence applications and under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996, as Minister, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the EPA, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.

A specific investment decision by a private company providing services in Ireland is a matter for that company and its board.  Individual planning decisions are a matter for the relevant planning authority. Broader planning issues affecting the development of industry in Ireland are matters for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1189. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the basis on which companies are permitted to put a recyclable logo or emblem on the packaging of their goods; if there is a system to limit the use of this logo or emblem here to packaging that can be recycled here; and the way in which this is currently policed here. [16097/18]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Green Dot symbol is an internationally recognised trademark used on packaging and means that for such packaging a financial contribution has been paid to a compliance system legally licensed, and a company set up in accordance with the principles defined in European Directive 94/62 and the respective national law, which is responsible for the recovery of used packaging.

In effect, this means that the producer of the packaging has made a financial contribution to a waste packaging compliance scheme – such as Repak or a similar organisation in Europe – to fund the recovery of the packaging.

The Green Dot system is managed by PRO Europe (Packaging Recovery Organisation Europe) on behalf of the main packaging compliance schemes (“Green Dot organisations”) across Europe and in some other countries. Currently, producer responsibility organisations in 29 countries are using the Green Dot as a financing symbol to finance the collection, sorting and recovery of used (mainly household) packaging.

Repak, the packaging compliance scheme, is the sole licensee for Ireland. Repak licences the use of the Green Dot to packaging producers in Ireland. All members of Repak are entitled to use the Green Dot. Non‐members can apply to Repak for a license. Under the licence agreements, packaging producers are required to adhere to the core requirements of the trademark.

Additional background information is available at . Details on Green Dot in Europe are available at .

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