We have come a long way as a State in our attitude to and success in recycling but future targets will present stiff challenges, argues Andrew Hetherington

We are a small island nation on the edge of Europe with little recycling infrastructure and little indigenous packaging. Yet we managed to recycle more than 33 per cent of packaging waste last year.

This is a great achievement - above our EU packaging recycling targets of 25 per cent for 2001 - but there is no room for complacency as, by 2005, that target will double. This presents us with significant challenges, requiring us to recycle more than half - 450,000 tonnes at present levels - of packaging waste.

The penalty for missing these targets is heavy fines from Europe and losing our progressive status. Ireland is now viewed as exemplar for other small countries in our efforts to overcome disadvantage in terms of the lack of indigenous packaging and recycling infrastructure. Packaging material collected needs to be exported.

In addition to increased targets we face a future crisis over landfill capacity. This raises the stakes for recycling as, without a proper partnership, both householders and industry could face huge increases in waste management charges. We produce about 750,000 tonnes in packaging waste annually, much of it recyclable.

Both industry and consumers have a part to play in protecting Ireland's environment. There are compelling reasons to engage in recycling. Much of the material we discard is valuable and can save scarce resources and energy in addition to reducing the dependence on landfill.

Two-thirds of the average household waste is recyclable with one-third being packaging waste and a further third being compostable rubbish. If every household engaged in recycling we would be a long way towards reducing our reliance on landfill.

On the industry front and following the introduction of 1997 Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations, any business with an annual turnover exceeding €1.27 million supplying more than 25 tonnes of packaging to the Irish market is obliged to comply with the regulations. These dictate how an organisation must deal with packaging waste and outlines companies' obligations.

So what is hindering recycling progress in Ireland? On the industry front, thousands of companies are avoiding their responsibilities. Recycling is necessary but it also costs and, without the full involvement of industry, we will be limited in what we can achieve If people avoid their responsibilities, a heavier burden of responsibility will fall on the shoulders of a small number of companies.

Further enforcement of the regulations is necessary and that is down to local authorities.

Currently companies have two choices. They can discharge their legal obligations either by self-complying, thereby meeting the complex and costly requirement of the regulations on their own or they can simply join Repak.

On the consumer front, the Department of Environment and Local Government and local authorities have made good progress in expanding the network of recycling facilities, though we have a long way to go to ensure we meet our 2005 targets.

To date, we have reached our targets through pure recycling whereas other EU states have achieved theirs through recovery and recycling. We are now nearing the stage where we will need to explore the recovery option in order to bring ourselves on par with our European counterparts.

The mind-set of people in Ireland on recycling has changed substantially over the last few years to the point where people are using Bring Banks more. In 2002, nearly 45 per cent of people were visiting a recycling bank at least once a month, up from 25 per cent regularly using bring banks in 1998. We need to strengthen this partnership by ensuring that 100 per cent of the population use recycling facilities.

It is also vital that people understand the recycling process and appreciate that, by not segregating recyclables, for example mixing different coloured glass or different materials in the one bring bank/bins, they add to the cost and difficulty of recycling.

We need to get the ratio of Bring Banks up to a minimum of one per 1,000 of population to be on a par with our European partners and to do this we need public support. Submission delays for planning permission and a "not in my backyard" approach by some make it harder for us to achieve the necessary level of recycling.

The difference householders can make is substantial when you consider that one tonne of waste is generated by households each year and about 33 per cent of household waste is packaging waste which is fully recyclable.

We have come a long way as a nation in our attitude and success in recycling and this has happened because government, industry and the public are working in partnership.

The challenge for the future will need even more commitment and effort on everyone's behalf.

• Andrew Hetherington is the chief executive of Repak, the industry funded waste packaging compliance scheme. This is Repak National Recycling Week, which runs until Sunday.