Polluter Pays Principle

Battery recycling

The Batteries Directive adheres that by 2012, producers must collect a quarter of all the batteries they put on the market, with that figure rising to 45% by 2016.

Battery recycling

Battery recycling

The Batteries Directive adheres that by 2012, producers must collect a quarter of all the batteries they put on the market, with that figure rising to 45% by 2016.

Enlarge image

A discarded plastic bag

The introduction of a plastic bag levy had an immediate benefit to our environment – with a decrease in excess of 95% in plastic bag litter. Surveys indicated that up to 90% of shoppers used long-life bags in 2003, compared with 36% in 1999.

A discarded plastic bag

A discarded plastic bag

The introduction of a plastic bag levy had an immediate benefit to our environment – with a decrease in excess of 95% in plastic bag litter. Surveys indicated that up to 90% of shoppers used long-life bags in 2003, compared with 36% in 1999.

Enlarge image

In the last ten years our awareness and policies on waste management have improved. As previously shown the legislative framework is the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended by the Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001 and the Protection of the Environment Act 2003.

With waste infrastructure and recycling on the up, Government policy has swung towards producer responsibilty. This policy puts the burden on Irish householders and businesses to make sure their waste is properly managed. Such obligations were used initially for packaging waste and farm plastic and more recently on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) and tyres.

The Batteries Directive (Directive 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators) coming into Irish law will enchance the use of producer liability for waste management.

Around the country, waste is managed by different county councils and more information can be found on the EPA's website in the section on regional waste management plans.