Waterford City Council : Our Departments : Environment

What is meant by "Packaging" ?
Packaging means glass, paper, aluminium, wood (including pallets), steel, fibreboard and plastic sheeting. These materials must be segregated and recycled. This effectively bans recyclable packaging material from landfill.

What are the Waste Packaging Regulations ?
"The Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 1997" were introduced in order to place the responsibility for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste onto anyone who handles the packaging at any stage of the supply chain.

How do I comply ?
You can fully comply with the regulations by :

Identifying what is packaging

Determine whether it is recyclable or not

Provide storage space for these materials.

Failure to comply is deemed to be an offence.

Major Producers
A major producer is any producer of packaging who places 25 tonnes or more of packaging waste in the market and has an annual turnover of at least €1 million. All packaging that is sold and consumed on the premises must be included when calculating the amount of packaging you produce.

Major Producers must choose one of two options:
1. Register with Waterford City Council as a self-complier or
2. Join an Approved Recovery Scheme e.g. Repak Ltd.

Self-Compliance

Self-compliers must take back packaging waste from consumers and other businesses. Adequate facilities for the separation and storage of such materials must be provided for.

Customers must be allowed to remove packaging from products that they have bought, while on the premises.

A notice must be displayed at every entrance to the producer's premises, stating that packaging is accepted free of charge. This notice must be no less than 30cm wide - 40cm high.

Self-Compliers must apply to Waterford City Council for registration as a Self-Complier. Registration must be renewed no later than 31st January each year.

An application form and plan of compliance must be submitted to the City Council, along with a registration fee of €15 / tonne (up to a maximum of €5,000 per application).

Quarterly reports must be submitted to the City Council regarding the weight of packaging supplied, received, recovered and disposed of.

Approved Recovery Scheme
A major producer who opts for this form of compliance is exempt from the individual compliance responsibilities. At present, Repak Ltd is the only approved recovery scheme in Ireland.

Useful Information
What goes in the GREEN bin ? What goes in the BROWN bin ? What goes in the GREY bin ? Where's my nearest bottle bank? How do I dispose of white goods?

Useful Information

What goes in the GREEN bin ?

What goes in the BROWN bin ?

What goes in the GREY bin ?

Where's my nearest bottle bank?

How do I dispose of white goods?