23rd February 2017. Dear Ms. Butler, I wish to refer to your correspondence with enclosed petition regarding over packaging in our stores. As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I am aware of the issues around the use of excessive and non-recyclable packaging. I am responsible for the administration of the EU Packaging Directive which is transposed in Ireland by the European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014. Under the Regulations at least 60% of packaging waste must be recovered and 55% must be recycled. The most recent Waste Packaging Statistics for Ireland published by the EPA in May 2016 show that Ireland has met and exceeded the overall packaging waste recovery rate and the recycling rate targets since they came into force. Repak is the approved producer responsibility compliance scheme for packaging in Ireland and is tasked with meeting recovery and recycling targets established under the EU Packaging Directive. Repak charges fees to its members in accordance with the amount and type of packaging they place on the Irish market. These fees are used to subsidise the collection and recovery of waste packaging through registered recovery operators across Ireland. Because Repak members pay fees based on the amount of packaging they place on the market, this incentivises them to reduce packaging where possible and in so doing to reduce their fees. To assist members to optimise their packaging, Repak employ packaging technologists who work with their member companies. The technologists look for ways to optimise the packaging used and to minimise any resulting packaging waste. This ranges from separating and sorting packaging material for more efficient recycling, increasing the use of any reusable or returnable packaging and minimising any packaging waste. Further information can be found on www.repak.ie/preventandsave The fees collected from Repak members are used to subsidise the recycling and recovery of that packaging waste through a list of registered recovery operators. They do not pay subsidies for biodegradable or compostable packaging as it should not end up in the recycling streams that they subsidise. Repak strongly encourage their members to use recyclable plastics rather than non-recyclable or composite materials. A lot of work is being done by Repak members to prevent and minimise the amount of packaging they require. However it should also be noted that packaging is there for a reason and sometimes even a small decrease in packaging leads to a large amount of product waste and as a result there is no net reduction in resources used. This is a particular concern for retailers as they try to minimise food and other product waste at their stores. Under the EU’s Circular Economy Package, the Commission published a Strategy on Plastics in a Circular Economy (see attached). The idea of a Circular Economy is where the value of products, materials and resources is maintained in the economy for as long as possible, and the generation of waste minimised, and is an essential contribution to the EU’s efforts to develop a sustainable, low carbon, resource efficient and competitive economy. Plastic is one of the five priority areas addressed in the strategy. I will continue to monitor progress in this regard at EU level. Yours sincerely, Denis Naughten T.D., Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment