Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 September 2026
151. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR); and a timeline for its implementation here. [66328/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to concerns across Europe around the growing environmental impact of packaging waste, a new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) was introduced in early 2025. The PPWR aims to:
• Prevent and reduce packaging waste, including through more reuse and refill systems;
• Make all packaging on the EU market recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030.
• Safely increase the use of recycled plastics in packaging.
• Decrease the use of virgin materials in packaging and put the sector on track to climate neutrality by 2050.
As an EU Regulation, the PPWR has direct effect in Ireland. It applies generally from 12th August this year, but the introduction of provisions is staggered over a number of years to 2030 and beyond. Much of the detail of implementation remains to be elaborated in EU secondary legislation, and participation in discussions on these instruments is a key focus for the Department.
More detailed information on the regulation is provided by Repak, Ireland's Producer Responsibility Organisation on the following webpage: https://repak.ie/ppwr/.
