COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 12, 2011

QUESTION NO. 2

QUESTION: Councillor J. Hannon

To ask the Manager to outline the regulations governing the recycling of used newspapers / magazines etc. and the obligations, if any, that are incumbent on all such publications to take responsibility for recycling their product?

REPLY:

There are no regulations in force under the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended, that oblige the producers of newspapers or magazines to recycle or take responsibility for the recycling of their product. In accordance with Article 39 of the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended, there is a requirement to hold a waste permit or licence to dispose of or undertake the recovery of waste at a waste facility. The Litter Pollution Act, 1997 as amended, provides for the fining of end users of newspapers and magazines should they be disposed of in an inappropriate manner. The Repak compliance scheme, formed due to the coming into force of the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 2007, as amended, provide revenue directly to the recyling of newspapers and magazines, predominantly when recycled in domestic green bins, although the producers of newspapers and magazines are not obliged under the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 2007, as amended, and are not members of Repak.