Wednesday 7 March 2007

Repak & EPA Prevention Programme 2007


The first two in a series of seminars in the Repak ‘Prevent and Save’ programme were held recently in Dublin and Cork. The seminars drew an attendance of over 100 Repak members who heard presentations from a range of experts in the field, as well as a number of well presented case studies from existing members.

The Dublin seminar, held at Enterprise Ireland’s headquarters in Glasnevin, was opened by the former Environment Minister, Dick Roche, TD who highlighted the vital role that prevention has in the arena of packaging growth, recovery and recycling.

The prevention programme is being headlined and funded jointly by Repak and the EPA in association with the DoEHLG.

The programme measures will see:
· a series of awareness raising seminars
· a what is best practice packaging website
· a supply chain benchmarking study
· exemplar best practice case studies
· consumer research study on packaging preferences and purchase behaviour
· Packaging Design Awards aimed at promoting examples of best practice
· Development of a carbon footprint calculator for member companies
· Development of a interactive householder carbon footprint calculator

Additional backup is provided by Enterprise Ireland who have lent their considerable weight of expertise in packaging technology to the programme. Repak received very favourable feed back from the seminars and are currently looking to repeat the exercise.

The packaging recycling rate in Ireland stands at an all time high of 60%, while the volume of packaging on the market continues to grow in line with changing demographics and economic activity. The Packaging Waste Prevention Programme aims to utilise the best indigenous and international experience and practice to educate and promote improvements in packaging utilisation including product minimisation, material light weighting and replacement strategies.

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