Single-use Plastics
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
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 and commits Member States to introduce 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.
From 3 July 2021, the following SUP items are banned from being placed on the Irish market:
From 3 July 2021, the producers of wet wipes, tobacco filter products containing plastic, sanitary items and beverage cups must ensure that the marking requirements of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2151 are contained 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 as Gaeilge.
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 beverage containers (bottles, cartons, pouches) up to 3 litres in size will be banned from the Irish market from 3 July 2024, unless its cap is attached to the main part of the container. 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. From January 2030 all plastic bottles must contain a minimum of 30% recycled plastic.
In order to maximise their recyclability, we will achieve a separate collection rate of 90% for plastic bottles by 2029. A Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS) was introduced in February 2024 to achieve this.
By 5 January 2023, producers of packaging will be required to cover the costs of litter clean up, in addition to their existing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations associated with the following SUP items:
New extended producer responsibility schemes must also be implemented for the following items:
The producers of these products must also cover the cost of cleaning up litter arising from their products. The EU Commission will be producing guidance on how litter costs are to be calculated and we will be publishing that when it is available.
The Single Use Plastics Directive has also created new obligations in respect of fishing gear that contains plastic:
The fishing industry and stakeholders are already doing significant work to tackle fishing litter. In 2023 and 2024, this Department will work with the sector to help prepare fishing gear producers affected to meet the Extended Producer Responsibility obligations which will take effect from end 2024.
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 .