Packaging Regulations
There is a problem with Waste Management in our country. We are producing more and more waste. there are so many new products, so many disposable items, so much excess packaging. All of this waste has to go somewhere. So where does it all go? Putting our waste in the bin is no longer good enough. We need to stop and think about what we are putting in the bin.
Can the item be reused, recycled, composted?
Are we buying items with lots of excess packaging?
Can the item be reused, recycled, composted?
Are we buying items with lots of excess packaging?
Background:
The former 1997 Packaging Regulations were reviewed by a task force to tackle the twin issues of compliance and enforcement so as to eliminate “free riders” and to ensure that the 2005 targets will be achieved.
Enforcement:
Each local authority shall be responsible for the enforcement of these regulations within their functional areas and shall take such steps as are necessary to achieve this.
Commencement:
These Regulations will came into operation on 1st March 2003.
Definitions:
Specified packaging waste means:
- waste glass
- aluminium
- steel
- paper
- fibreboard (cardboard)
- wood
- plastic sheeting.
Sectors Affected:
The way those who produce, collect and dispose of specified packaging waste is addressed by these regulations. There are three main groups;
The Producer
(all commercial premises including newsagents, supermarkets, public houses etc): The regulations require that all businesses segregate the specified packaging waste arising on their premises for collection by a recovery operator, for the purposes of recovery.
The Collector: A recovery operator is required not to landfill specified packaging waste, which has been presented and collected for the purposes of recovery.
The Landfill Operator: The regulations go further and require that specified packaging waste shall not be landfilled by any other person and in particular a Local Authority cannot accept such material for landfilling.
Producer responsibility: All commercial premises must:
The Collector: A recovery operator is required not to landfill specified packaging waste, which has been presented and collected for the purposes of recovery.
The Landfill Operator: The regulations go further and require that specified packaging waste shall not be landfilled by any other person and in particular a Local Authority cannot accept such material for landfilling.
Producer responsibility: All commercial premises must:
- Segregate their specified packaging waste arising on their premises into the component waste streams.
- Present these separated wastes for collection by a recovery operator, for the purposes of recovery.
- Ensure that the Recovery Operator holds all the necessary licenses and permits.
- Must not contaminate specified packaging waste e.g. store and present separated waste in a manner that renders it unrecoverable.
- Immediately make arrangements with a recovery operator to ensure compliance with the regulations.
Collector Responsibility:
A collector;
- Cannot service a waste producer who does not sort his specified packaging waste from his waste going for disposal.
- Must recover all specified packaging waste.
- Must not contaminate specified packaging waste
- Immediately make arrangements with all commercial customers ensure compliance with the regulations.
Vintners:
Up to now there was different views on glass waste produced by this sector. The regulations clarify this particular matter and defines all such glass waste (i.e. bottles sold and consumed in Pubs, Clubs and Hotels) as within the scope of the regulations.
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