Repak launch first public online Carbon Calculator
Householders all around the country can now calculate their exact carbon footprint through the first Irish publicly accessible online carbon calculator for households. The carbon calculator which is launched today by Repak in conjunction with the Minister for Environment can be accessed through the Repak website (http://www.repak.ie/) and allows a household to calculate how much carbon they use by inputting details of activities they perform in their daily routine. It also provides hints and tips on how people can reduce their carbon footprint.
The calculator allows users to input specific details about their homes and their lives. It assesses heating methods in the household, calculates energy consumption, and investigates the various types of insulation being used. It also allows the user to input information on the type of lighting they use in the house including energy efficient light bulbs. The calculator finally allows householders to investigate the impact that transportation usage has on their carbon footprint, from private and public transport to international flights. When a householder fills in all these details they are instantly provided with a monthly breakdown of carbon emissions, broken down into three separate sections, Home Energy Usage, Transport and Flights. They are also provided with a comparative average for their particular living situation and practical hints and tips on how each household can reduce their carbon footprint.
The household calculator is the first in a suite being developed by Repak. Early next year, Repak will also launch carbon calculators for schools and for businesses. The initial research for the project was carried out by Ms. Tricia Kenny, Director of Carbon Action Ireland. A Masters graduate of Environmental Science from Trinity College Dublin, Tricia carried developed the carbon footprint calculator for Ireland as part of her thesis.
Commenting on the launch of the carbon calculator, Andrew Hetherington, CEO of Repak said “This well researched tool helps people to actually realise the extent of their carbon footprint, and in particular compare this to the average Irish household. One of the best aspects of the calculator is that it gives each household suggestions and tips on practical ways in which they can reduce their carbon footprint and recycling is one way in which people can have a serious impact on carbon emissions and our overall environmental impact by lower our primary resource use.”
At the launch, Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley commented ”Repak’s carbon calculator is the latest example of the excellent work they do to promote recycling and the environment. Recycling creates lower energy costs, reduces emissions into the atmosphere and to water and reduces the amount of waste going to landfill sites. Each of us can further reduce our own carbon footprint by reducing the amount of packaging we consume and recycling as much as possible”.
At the launch of the Minister also announced the signing of Repaks new approval to 2011 and the launch of the amended Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations.
Mr Hetherington added “The new approval is an endorsement of Repaks success and the important role we have to play in meeting future EU targets. We can now plan for moving forward with certainty for next 4 years and also welcome the lowering of the threshold of obligation for companies to 10 tonnes (down from 25 tonnes of packaging placed on the market) that will widen the base of obligated companies meaning increased funding for Repak and recycling in Ireland. However our approval also poses challenges with the Minister seeking increased funding for packaging recycling for Local Authorities.”
Last year Repak managed to recycle 603,000 tonnes of packaging resulting in the equivalent of 463,000 tonnes of carbon savings. Since Repak was established in 1997 they have diverted over 3.5 million tonnes of used packaging from landfill resulting approximately 2.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent savings.
Pictured at the official launch are Mr. John Gormley TD, Minister for the Environment, Ms. Tricia Kenny, Director of Carbon Action Ireland and Dr. Andrew Hetherington, CEO, Repak
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