Madam, - I read with interest the letter from Mr Frank Gallagher (October 24th) in which he incorrectly quotes the implementation of the "polluter pays" principle and the role of Repak.
The producer responsibility concept principle was adopted by the Government through the introduction of the Waste Management Act and the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations.
The regulations dictate that obligated companies conform to packaging regulations by either paying into the Repak scheme, which funds and records the recycling of packaging waste or accept back the packaging waste from consumers on their premises for recovery/recycling.
The polluter pays principle is something quite different and across Europe is applied to the person who handles the package last before it is emptied.
Repak, as a voluntary scheme, in turn helps fund (through members fees which were approximately €14 million in 2002 alone) the collection and recycling of packaging waste in kerbside schemes and bottle banks throughout Ireland.
Repak members pay fees in accordance with the amount and type of packaging they place on the market.
The real issue is what non-Repak members are doing to meet their producer responsibility for the recycling/recovery of their packaging waste.
Enforcement is the key with this legislation so that all companies are paying rather than just the few in Repak membership (1450 in total). - Yours, etc.,
DARRELL CROWE,
Marketing manager,
Repak Ltd.,
Red Cow Interchange Estate 1,
Ballymount Road,
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.