Single-use Plastics

Single use plastic items are used once, or for only a short period of time, before being thrown away.

Huge resources go in to making items like drinks bottles, cups and cans, that are then thrown away after one use.

An easy way to prevent waste from single use items is to use a re-usable alternative such as a water bottle, flask, or cup.

Single use plastics have a very negative impact on human health and on the environment. Therefore, a range of measures are being taken or have already been taken to address these effects.

The EU aims to reduce the volume and impact of specific plastic products on the environment through Directive (EU) 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, commonly referred to as the Single Use Plastics Directive. Single use plastic products (SUPs) are used once, or for a short period of time, before being thrown away.

The Directive targets the 10 most commonly found single use plastic items on European beaches which, along with fishing gear, represents 70% of all marine litter in the EU. It commits Member States to introducing a range of measures to deal with those single use plastic items. The Directive has been transposed through S.I. No. 516 of 2021, as amended by S.I. No. 136 of 2022.

General guidance on the scope of the products included within this Directive is available from the EU Commission.

Since 3 July 2021, the following SUP items have been banned from being placed on the Irish market:

• Cotton bud sticks
• Cutlery (forks, knives, spoons and chopsticks)
• Plates
• Stirrers
• Balloon sticks
• Straws
• Expanded polystyrene single use cups and food and beverage containers
• All oxo-degradable plastic products

Also since 3 July 2021, the producers of wet wipes, tobacco filter products containing plastic, sanitary items and beverage cups have had to ensure that the marking requirements of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2151 are included on their packaging or products, as appropriate, to inform consumers of the presence of plastic and the impact of inappropriate disposal. In accordance with this Regulation, the marking must contain both official languages of Ireland. This Regulation is also available in Irish.

These products may not be placed on the market in Ireland unless they are in compliance with this Regulation.

Other obligations in the Directive mean that since 3 July 2024, beverage containers (bottles, cartons, pouches) up to 3 litres cannot be placed on the Irish market unless the cap is attached to the main part of the container (that is, tethered caps).

Beverage producers will also be prohibited from placing any plastic bottle made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) up to 3 litres in size on the Irish market from January 2025 unless it contains a minimum of 25% recycled plastic.

In addition, from January 2030, all plastic bottles must contain a minimum of 30% recycled plastic.

Since 5 January 2023, producers of packaging have been required to cover the costs of litter clean up, in addition to their pre-existing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations associated with the following SUP items:

• food containers
• beverage containers and cups
• packets and wrappers
• light weight carrier bags

Also since January 2023, a new EPR scheme for tobacco filter products containing plastic has been established and in operation.

EPR schemes for wet wipes containing plastic and for balloons must be established by 31 December 2024. More information is available in the documents below.

The Single Use Plastics Directive also created new obligations in respect of fishing gear that contains plastic:

• From 2022 onwards, Ireland has been required to monitor and report annually to the European Commission (EC) on the amount of such fishing gear placed on the market each year, and waste fishing gear collected each year. The EPA is the competent authority to monitor and report this data. The report for each year is due by the July of two calendar years later (for example, the 2022 report fell due in July 2024).
• Ireland is also required to set a national minimum collection rate for waste fishing gear containing plastic. The rate is non-binding. Monitoring collections against this minimum rate will provide data which is intended to inform binding quantitative EU-wide collection targets planned for introduction by the EC sometime in the future. The Minister set a collection rate of 100 tonnes for 2023 and for 2024, based on estimated tonnages collected in Ireland in 2022. The collection rate target is subject to change for future years.
• With effect from 31 December 2024, producers of fishing gear containing plastic will face new requirements relating to the proper management of such fishing gear when it becomes waste. Producers must set up an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme that can meet the new legal obligations on their behalf. These obligations are set down in national regulations. Extended Producer Responsibility schemes already exist in Ireland to manage other material waste streams: tyres, packaging, farm plastics, vehicles, batteries and waste electronic and electrical equipment. Producers in these sectors have a responsibility to finance the collection and environmentally-sound waste management of their products at end of life.

The fishing industry and stakeholders are already doing significant work to tackle fishing litter. In addition, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is working with the sector to help prepare fishing gear producers to meet the Extended Producer Responsibility obligations which will take effect from end 2024.

During 2024, the department engaged Eunomia Research and Consulting Ltd to produce a report: 'Analysis of the Marine Fishing Gear Market in Ireland and Identification of Most Suitable Extended Producer Responsibility Model for Compliance with the Single Use Plastics Directive'.

This report is available for download below. It will form the basis for further guidance for the fishing gear sector which the department will issue in the near future.

The public drinking water fountain scheme is a Government of Ireland initiative announced by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The aim of the Scheme is to reduce plastic bottle use and provide widespread public access to drinking water. €2 million in funding from the Circular Economy Fund will be made available for the rollout of public water infrastructure through Uisce Éireann, Local Authorities and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes. Initially the scheme will focus on the installation of drinking fountains within public buildings, with future phases of the scheme to include installations in public outdoor spaces such as parks, greenways and beaches.

Funding is being provided through the Circular Economy Fund, managed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, which consists of revenues from the landfill, plastic bag and waste recovery levies.

The scheme is not yet open for applications. Scheme guidelines and details of the application process will be made available to local authorities in due course.

For queries regarding the scheme or to be added to the mailing list please email circeconmaterials@decc.gov.ie