Packaging Waste

The European Commission (EC) Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62 EC) (as amended) introduced producer responsibility into the management of packaging materials and aims to minimise the impact of packaging waste on the environment by reducing the amount going to landfill. Member states are required to establish return, collection and recovery systems and to meet targets for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste.

 Pallet of Cardboard

The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and amendments implement the Directive in Northern Ireland. These are designed to ensure that industry takes full responsibility for packaging wastes generated as a result of their commercial activities. The Packaging Waste RegulationsOpens in new window. can be viewed on the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) website.

Two amendments to the Regulations are now in effect:

  1. Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008Opens in new window., increased the recycling and recovery targets for producers.
  2. Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008Opens in new window., made changes to the requirements for accreditation of reprocessors and exporters of packaging waste.
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The Packaging Waste Regulations places a duty on us to monitor compliance with the Regulations in Northern Ireland. There is also a requirement for us to publish an annual monitoring plan: NIEA Compliance Monitoring Plan 2009(.PDF 179Kb)Opens in new window..

The Producer Responsibility Unit can be contacted on 028 9056 9338 or by email at packaging@doeni.gov.ukOpens in new window..