Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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66. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide an update on his efforts to provide for packaging-free zones in supermarkets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3568/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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A number of relevant measures are in development which are supportive of retailers developing packaging-free zones.

Ireland's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model for packaging places legal obligations on packaging producers to recover and recycle the packaging they place on the Irish market. Repak, the national producer responsibility organisation, helps members meet these legal obligations through financial incentives and support measures, such as:

- Eco-modulation: In 2021, Repak introduced a modulated fee structure for plastic packaging, incentivising more sustainable production amongst producers. Repak members, including all the major retailers/supermarkets, must pay according to both the amount and type of packaging they place on the Irish market; paying more for packaging that cannot be readily recycled.

- Plastic Pledge: Repak's Plastic Pledge initiative supports a commitment from members to prioritise the prevention of plastic packaging waste, to minimise single use packaging and to promote packaging reuse. The Plastic Pledge report is published online annually. The 2021 report states that an average reduction in plastic packaging of 25% was achieved by members who participated.

At EU level, the European Commission published its proposals for a revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive in November 2022. The proposal seeks to reduce packaging waste by 15% by 2040 per Member State per capita, compared to 2018. The specific measures proposed include the mandatory use of reusable or refillable packaging. Negotiations of the proposal are now underway. Ireland has expressed its support for the revision.

Finally, the Government’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy includes a range of ambitious, holistic measures to reform and strengthen how we manage our waste. The Plan commits to supporting reuse in Ireland and mandates the inclusion of reuse targets within the National Waste Management Plan which will be published this year.