Repak has called on the Government to reform waste packaging rules to allow it to meet EU waste-recovery targets.
Under the 1994 EU Packaging Directive, Irish industries are required to recycle 50 per cent of their packaging waste by the end of 2005. Repak, the non-profit company established by industry to co-ordinate and finance the recycling of packaging waste, is on target to meet a planned EU target of 25 per cent for 2001.
Repak Chief Executive Mr Andrew Hetherington told the group's Annual Conference that legal loopholes in the law must be removed if it is to meet the 50 per cent EU target in 2005.
He called on the Government to make the EPA responsible for law enforcement and to place a priority on prosecuting offending companies.
He said only two prosecutions have taken place under the regulations because the local authorities, responsible for enforcement, do not have sufficient resources.
Minister for the Environment Mr Dempsey told the conference there was need for reform and pledged to set up a task force – to include Repak – to tackle the issues compliance and enforcement.
He said the local authorities have been asked to give first priority to implementing the recycling elements of the Waste Management (Amendment) Act, 2001.
In addition to grants under the National Development Plan, Mr Dempsey said he would allocate resources from the Environment Fund - financed by the plastic shopping bag levy and proposed landfill levy - to be targeted at prevention, recovery and recycling plans.
The Minister also commended Repak for its five-year strategic plan which addresses the challenges ahead.
The plan recommended increased funding for local authority schemes and promoting consumer usage of recycling facilities.