Packaging Waste Prevention Programme

Nationwide

Repak has been very successful in its efforts to grow packaging recycling over the last twelve years, resulting in 65% of packaging waste generated in Ireland in 2008 being recycled compared to 14% in 1998 when the figures were first recorded.

While more and more tonnes of packaging are being recycled, the amount of packaging waste generated has also continued to grow. To improve the national recovery rate even further, more tonnes of packaging have to be recycled (which is getting more difficult) and the amount of packaging waste generated has to decrease. If there is less packaging being generated then there will be less waste to manage later on once the packaging becomes waste.

With this in mind, Repak and the EPA set up the Packaging Waste Prevention Programme in 2007. The aim of the Programme is to assist Irish businesses with positive and practical ways to reduce packaging waste and to promote those achievements to a wider audience.

The Packaging Waste Prevention Programme is part of the National Waste Prevention Programme led by Repak with the support of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A steering group oversees the programme and manages the implementation of a number of projects each year with the aim of reducing the amount of packaging waste generated in Ireland.

In 2009 a number of projects were completed which has resulted in several tools being available to help in the reduction of packaging waste. These include:

The launch of the new ‘Prevent and Save’ website
This is a stand alone website focused exclusively on packaging waste prevention activities. Packaging design tools, advice and case studies can all be found here to help businesses with strategies to prevent packaging waste and to optimise their packaging systems.

The launch of the packaging legislation ‘Self-Audit Tool’
This is a specific tool aimed at guiding users through the packaging waste legislation, informing them of their obligations and showing them how to comply with the legislation. There is also an extensive step by step guide to the Essential Requirements of Packaging. By using this guide and documenting their results through the forms provided, a user can show how they are complying with the packaging waste legislation.

The publication of the first ‘Positive Packaging’ Newsletter
Repak now produce a newsletter called 'Positive Packaging'. It is produced several times a year and contains information that will help readers understand packaging optimisation and show them the best ways to achieve it. Information on case studies, packaging surveys carried out by Repak and useful contacts and links are all contained in the newsletter, as well as an examination in each edition of a product which is perceived as "over-packaged". 

Packaging Guide
Courtesy of Colm Munnelly

The provision of a ‘Packaging Optimisation Toolkit’
For small companies newly obligated under the packaging waste legislation, Repak has compiled a toolkit consisting of a booklet on packaging optimisation and a number of suggested tools and examples.
A number of inserts at the back of the toolkit explain the concept of each tool and there are also several case studies showing how companies have actually implemented the tools. Examples are given for primary, secondary and tertiary packaging as well as for a range of different packaging materials.

The completion of a ‘Best Practice’ case study brochure for retailers
The Prevent and Save programme has published a number of case study brochures over the last four years showing examples of how Repak members are improving their packaging systems and reducing packaging waste.

Packaging Technologists employed under the programme also carry out prevention surveys for Repak members which helps them to optimise their packaging systems, reduce their packaging waste and to make financial savings in the process.