As Ireland pushes toward a more sustainable future, Repak is turning the spotlight on businesses in Ireland to drive compliance with commercial recycling regulations.

In January 2025, Repak will launch its Resolve to Recycle campaign.

The initiative is designed to address a significant gap in workplace recycling practices, urging businesses to adopt the legally required three-bin system to meet national waste management regulations.

A CLEAR GAP IN WORKPLACE RECYCLING

Research from Repak highlights a concerning gap in workplace recycling compliance.

The research, to be launched in January 2025, reveals many employees feel their workplace is not meeting legal recycling requirements, while others don’t even know what their company’s recycling practices are.

This underscores a significant opportunity for businesses to enhance waste management processes and align with Ireland’s demanding environmental targets.

THE LEGAL OBLIGATION TO RECYCLE

Under regulations introduced in July 2023, there are legal obligations on Irish businesses when it comes to the segregation of packaging waste, which requires the implementation of a three-bin system for waste segregation.

This ensures compliance with Regulation 5 of the European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014 (as amended), bringing commercial waste management practices in line with residential standards.

Businesses must:

 ● Segregate waste by material type.

● Ensure that packaging waste is clean, dry, and recyclable.

● Arrange for proper collection of waste for recycling.

WHY BUSINESSES MUST ACT NOW

The Resolve to Recycle campaign comes at a critical time.

Despite an increase of €1,000,000 committed in commercial recycling subsidies from Repak in 2024, Ireland saw a significant drop in recycled material tonnage compared to 2023.

This troubling trend points to gaps in workplace recycling practices, with businesses needing to implement sustainable change.

“Every business in Ireland has a responsibility to implement the three-bin system—not just to comply with legal requirements, but to play a vital role in Ireland’s efforts to meet future EU targets and support the transition to a circular economy,” Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of Repak.

Resolve to Recycle will provide businesses with the support, resources, and guidance they need to address these gaps, implement best practices, and take the lead in improving workplace recycling compliance.

HOW BUSINESSES CAN PREPARE

Ahead of the campaign launch in January, Repak is urging businesses to act now by:

● Implementing the three-bin system: Ensure proper segregation of waste to comply with legal standards.

● Accessing resources at Repak.ie: Visit Repak.ie for information on compliance guidelines and actionable tips to improve recycling practices.

● Utilising Repak’s support programs: Learn how to optimise recycling through Repak’s support programmes.

“By adopting the three-bin system, businesses can make a tangible difference and improve their recycling outcomes. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about setting the standard for sustainability in Ireland,” added Kavanagh.

PREVENTING WASTE THROUGH BETTER PACKAGING PRACTICES

As part of its broader sustainability efforts, Repak is also encouraging businesses to reduce waste by optimising packaging through its Prevent and Save Programme.

This initiative helps companies assess their packaging processes and encourages them to:

● Minimise unnecessary packaging.

● Transition to recyclable and reusable materials.

● Adopt lightweight and sustainable packaging alternatives.

These steps not only reduce waste but can also result in significant cost savings for businesses, while enhancing their environmental credentials.

MEETING IRELAND’S 2025 RECYCLING TARGETS

Ireland’s 2025 recycling targets require the country to recycle at least 55% of all plastic packaging waste and of packaging waste must reach 60%.

Achieving these goals requires collective effort, and businesses are critical to making it happen. Repak’s Resolve to Recycle campaign is the perfect opportunity for companies to take the lead in sustainable practices, ensuring they not only comply with regulations but also contribute to a greener Ireland.

For more information and to access resources, visit Repak.ie