Packaging Waste
The European Commission (EC) Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62 EC) (as amended) introduced producer responsibility into the management of packaging materials. If you are unsure as to the types of waste covered by these regulations, you should have a look at the Definition of Packaging Waste page.
The regulations aim to minimise the impact of packaging waste on the environment by reducing the amount going to landfill. Member states are required to set up return, collection and recovery systems and to meet targets for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste.
The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and amendments implement the Directive in Northern Ireland. These are designed to make sure that industry takes full responsibility for packaging wastes produced as a result of their commercial activities.
The regulations place a duty on us to monitor compliance with them in Northern Ireland. There is also a requirement for us to publish an annual monitoring plan. See NIEA Compliance Monitoring Plan 2011 ( PDF1.05Mb)
Defra, together with ourselves, the other devolved administrations and The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS - formally known as BERR), have published a strategy called 'Making the Most of Packaging'. This sets a clear direction for packaging policy in the next ten years.
The relevant packaging waste regulation information can be viewed on the National Archives website:
- Packaging Waste Regulations
- Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008
- Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008
- Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Ammendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
You will find some more useful information regarding packaging waste on the following websites:
