More than half a million tonnes of packaging waste was recycled last year under schemes organised or assisted by Repak. This means that Ireland is recycling more than two-thirds of its used packaging and has exceeded its EU targets by 14 per cent.
It is a positive development at a time when good news on the environment front is in short supply. But much remains to be done and the positive figures tend to disguise ongoing difficulties and inadequacies.
Repak chief executive Andrew Hetherington has complained that loopholes in the law allow some companies to avoid paying for the recovery of their packaging materials. And he was concerned the progress made so far might not be sustained into the future. Minister for the Environment Dick Roche, who has a good record in relation to the enforcement of waste disposal regulations, should sit up and take notice.
There can be no doubt about the willingness of most businesses and householders to contribute to a cleaner environment. There are special collection arrangements for large companies. And the public response to the establishment of local authority recycling centres has been gratifying. However, many of the centres are completely inadequate when it comes to coping with demand. There can be traffic jams in the vicinity of urban-based facilities at weekends, particularly in Dublin.
The work of Repak is funded by businesses that produce packaging. A total of €21 million was raised in fees from them last year. The money has helped to fund local authorities in establishing recycling centres and in financing doorstep collections, where the introduction of pay-by-use refuse systems has been particularly effective. But, as the Environmental Protection Agency pointed out last January, almost three-quarters of the material recovered is being exported to Europe or Asia for reprocessing. That must change. Reprocessing facilities should be established in Ireland.
There is considerable urgency about these issues. Existing landfill capacity is due to run out for local authorities in eight years. The situation in Dublin is even worse. We can no longer afford to bury our waste. Recycling standards will have to improve further. And biodegradable waste, which makes up almost three-quarters of household and commercial rubbish, will have to be tackled as a priority. Many local authorities are planning a new collection service for this waste. But progress is slow and inadequate. Greater urgency is required in providing this service. And collections should be on a weekly basis.