Latest news with #Repak
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Business
- Extra.ie
That's a wrap! Ban on way for single-use plastics
Hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets are being urged to prepare for a ban on many types of plastic packaging. Single-use shampoo bottles, single-serving ketchup packets and plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables will all be banned in Ireland in 2030. Repak, which advises businesses on meeting their legal obligation to recycle, has told its members to start preparing for the ban. The new EU law, which took effect in 2024, will ban retailers from using netting or other forms of plastic packaging on unprocessed fruit or vegetables weighing less than 1.5kg. This will include the wrap, sometimes used for cucumbers. Hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets are being urged to prepare for a ban on many types of single-use packaging. Pic: Getty Images The legislation states that unless certain plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables can be 'clearly justified' as preventing food loss or maintaining hygiene standards, it will be banned. However, it is believed there will be some exemptions for foods that are fragile, such as raspberries. Although the law does not take effect until January 1, 2030, supermarkets and retailers are being encouraged to modify their packaging practices in advance. Repak told that some of its members had already started to expand the amount of loose fruit and vegetables they sell as part of a 'plastic pledge' initiative. The new EU law, which took effect in 2024, will ban retailers from using netting or other forms of plastic packaging on unprocessed fruit or vegetables weighing less than 1.5kg. Pic: Getty Images Wraps, nets and bags are still commonplace in the fruit and vegetable aisles of major retailers, partly because of the lack of options for consumers to buy loose fruit or vegetables. This instead sees consumers buying large packets of goods that often use plastic packaging. The ban also includes single-use ketchup sachets in restaurants. Repak has said refill stations may become commonplace after the ban comes into effect. The law states that when selling food or drinks to be consumed on the same premises, single-use plastic trays or cups can not be used. It will see single-use shampoo bottles banned from hotel rooms. In its last report on single-use plastics, the Environmental Protection Agency said 3,032 tonnes of food containers made wholly of plastic were placed on the Irish market in 2022. It will see single-use shampoo bottles banned from hotel rooms. Pic: Getty Images It further found that 947 tonnes of fully plastic cups were sold to the Irish public in that same year. Ireland is one of the worst offenders in the EU for its level of waste per capita and is not on track to meet its 2025 EU recycling target. Repak said: 'Overall, the focus should be on moving to reusable systems where possible, rather than replacing single-use plastic with other single-use materials.' A number of retailers have detailed how they plan to change current practices in order to fall in line with the upcoming EU legislation. Aldi has said it is undertaking a 'comprehensive review' of its' packaging materials. Tesco said it is working towards full compliance with the new EU legislation, adding it has already put in place a voluntary strategy including removing plastic when possible. Lidl has reduced the amount used in its own-brand packaging by 20% since 2022
The Journal
3 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Plastic ketchup sachets and nets on fruit to be banned
PLASTIC NETS ON fruit and vegetables and single-use plastic packaging for condiments and preserves, such as ketchup sachets, will be banned by the end of the decade under new EU rules. Repak, the Irish industry-funded scheme for dealing with packaging waste, has issued advice to its member companies – which include supermarkets, hospitality businesses and manufacturers – encouraging them to start preparing now. Repak told The Journal plastic wrap on produce such as cucumbers are also likely to be banned, as well as any plastic punnets or trays that cannot be 'clearly justified' to prevent food loss, or for hygiene reasons. It's likely there will be some exemptions from the new rules, which kick in on 1 January 2030, for fragile produce such as raspberries and other soft fruits, Repak said. Say goodbye to cling film on cucumbers. Alamy Alamy An EU survey last year found three quarters of Irish people saw plastic waste as Ireland's biggest waste problem. Advertisement However, plastic bags, wraps, nets and other packaging are still in widespread use by Irish retailers and cafes, with the option to buy loose fruit and vegetables often not available. Tad Kirakowski of environmental NGO Voice said: ' Our recycling [rate] is stagnating , but the quantity of material we're having to sort is increasing. People are really, really struggling to keep up with the quantity of this material.' Numerous consumer surveys have shown that consumers want more sustainability from the retailers.' Aldi, one of the supermarkets that offers few loose options in its fruit and vegetable range, said it is undertaking a 'comprehensive review' of its packaging materials ahead of the new rules kicking in. 'Reducing our plastic and packaging footprint…is a key priority. We are fully committed to complying with these new regulations,' it said. Plastic cups and trays The ban on nets will apply to fruit and vegetables being sold in quantities of less than 1.5kg. Single-use plastic packaging for condiments, preserves and sauces will also be banned, as will single-use shampoo bottles in hotels. Selling food and drinks to be consumed on-site in single-use plastic trays or cups will also have to stop. Single use sachets are for the chop too. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Repak said possible alternatives for condiments would include pump or refill stations, or small reusable containers that can be washed and refilled. Sachets could be used if they are compostable. Related Reads Ireland producing more waste than a decade ago and 'almost certain' to miss 2025 recycling target 'Overall, the focus should be on moving to reusable systems where possible, rather than replacing single-use plastic with other single-use materials,' it said. Repak said some of its retail member companies were expanding their loose fruit and vegetable ranges as part of its 'plastic pledge' initiative. Kirakowski said voluntary initiatives were not bringing the level of change needed, which was why regulation was needed. He added that retailers will need to take action urgently to be ready for 2030. 'We see the retailers say, 'Oh yes, we're interested', but not really following through. It [2030] is not that far out when you think about the scale of the change that needs to be made. We're up against it on this,' he said. Tesco said it is working towards full compliance with the EU rules, and had already put in place a voluntary strategy to reduce its packaging footprint, including through removing plastic where it can and reducing it where it can't. Lidl said it has cut the amount of plastic it uses in its own-brand packaging by 20% since 2022. It said it's prioritising recycled materials and reducing food waste. Ireland is not on track to meet its 2025 EU target for recycling. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
10-06-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Upcycling: How to get wise, get sustainable and get sorted at home
Recently, while the sun shone bright, I spent my days in the garden carefully taking the labels and tape off cardboard boxes before using them as a base to suppress weeds for new no-dig garden borders. This garden hack is not new, but more and more people are digging into the concept of reusing materials in the garden not only for workable DIY solutions but also as a conscious effort to use sustainable and eco-friendly workarounds. In fact, according to new research from Repak, Ireland's environmental not-for-profit organisation, three out of five people have used empty packaging for gardening purposes such as seed-starting, watering, or plant labels. 'There are so many small but impactful things every household can do this summer and beyond,' says sustainability advocate Jo Linehan. 'Reimagining what we regard as waste is always a great place to start. For instance, why not keep the kids busy by making their own bird feeder from an empty plastic bottle? Simply punch holes in the bottle, add a string on top to hang it from a branch in the garden and fill it with birdseed.' CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB Jo Linehan, sustainability journalist and consultant Getting creative with household waste is an all-round win as we keep items out of landfill: For instance, the aforementioned cardboard hack to suppress weeds cutting milk bottles in half and refashioning them as DIY cloches in the vegetable patch using old plastic trays for starting seeds, not forgetting the ingenious hack of using toilet roll tubes as seed pots. Linehan reminds us to remember to leave a bowl of water for birds in your garden, too, as they can get thirsty during summer: 'If you're lucky, you might even see them taking a bath'. 'If you're a big coffee-drinking household, you can save your coffee grounds and add them to your garden plants and flowers. The grounds are rich in nutrients and can boost soil health.' The same goes for crushed eggshells or making your own compost. And if you own a drill and a saw, why not try repurposing pallets into planters. Sustainable and eco-friendly garden options are vast. Every little helps says Linehan who suggest that some of the best sustainable hacks and practices households can manage this summer include collecting rainwater in buckets and basins to water your garden. 'It may sound basic,' she says, 'but our water systems can be under pressure in hot weather. The most important tip is to get outside and enjoy your garden space. The more connected we feel to nature, the more likely we are to look after it.' A GROWING PASSION FOR UPCYCLING Repak research notes a growing national passion for upcycling and a growing confidence among the Irish public when it comes to recycling. 67% of Irish adults rate their recycling knowledge highly. However, the research, carried out around of the launch of Repak's Most Sorted Garden at Bord Bia Bloom recently, also recognises gaps remain around how people recycle. Findings suggest that less than half can correctly identify which bins tinfoil (44%), cosmetic jars (45%) and deodorant cans (50%) should go in, while 71% don't know how to recycle bleach bottles correctly. It's worth noting that Repak has a useful guide highlighting What Goes In My Bin on their website. Some items listed may surprise you. Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of Repak 'Irish people clearly care about sustainability and it's brilliant to see how many are upcycling packaging in creative ways,' says Zoe Kavanagh, Repak CEO. 'However, creativity in the garden needs to be matched with clarity at the bin. By tapping into the public's enthusiasm for upcycling, we want to inspire a national recycling reset. By recycling one more item daily we can make a huge difference and achieve our EU recycling targets.' To help close the gap in consumer knowledge, Repak's Most Sorted Garden, designed by award-winning garden designer James Purdy, welcomed thousands of visitors with hands-on tips and practical inspiration for better recycling habits at home and in the garden. Repak's Most Sorted Garden is a living, breathing showcase of the circular economy in action, to help visitors understand how to recycle better at home. MORE THAN JUST A DISPLAY Pictured at Repak's Most Sorted Garden at Bord Bia Bloom 2025 are Emilia (3) and Ella Bleus (6). For more information, please visit If we do the maths, small changes really add up. If each of the expected 100,000 Bloom visitors recycled one extra clean, dry, and loose item every day of the week, it could mean an extra 36.5 million items avoid being sent to landfill every year. According to Repak, this is enough to cover 28 GAA pitches. Incredibly, if every person in Ireland recycled one extra item a day, it adds up to 1.9 billion items being diverted from landfill every year. Creatively, Repak shares that this is equivalent to 4,000 double-decker buses — 48,362 tonnes of waste. 'Repak's Most Sorted Garden is more than just a display,' says Kavanagh. 'It's a movement. Every element exists within a closed-loop system, where resources are regenerated, materials are repurposed, and nothing goes to waste. We're calling on people to make this small change. Recycle just one more item each day. It starts at Bloom, but the impact can stretch across the nation.' Recycling has almost become second nature for most of us. However, it requires a conscious effort to recycle appropriately (clean, dry, and loose), to choose wisely (avoid single-use plastics and minimise packaging) and to close our knowledge gap of what can be recycled.
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Bloom is set to feature a garden of reimagined waste with Repak
Ahead of their appearance at Bord Bia's Bloom, environmental not-for-profit organisation Repak has shared its latest research, revealing that 67% of Irish adults rate their recycling knowledge highly, but there is still room for improvement, as 71% don't know how to recycle bleach bottles correctly. To help close these knowledge gaps, Repak will host a 'Most Sorted Garden' at Bord Bia Bloom in Dublin's Phoenix Park this Thursday - Monday, welcoming thousands of visitors with hands-on tips and practical inspiration for better recycling habits at home and in the garden. Ahead of Ireland's premier garden festival, we spoke to journalist and sustainability advocate Jo Linehan about the festival and ways in which we can make our homes a little more eco-friendly "The festival itself has so many unbelievable sustainability initiatives," Linehan says of Bloom, noting that coffee grounds from the festival will be donated to OPW for fertilising material; reusable cups and glassware will be available to attendees; and multiple public transport options will be available so cars can be avoided. "Repak have designed a beautiful garden," she adds. "Everything in it will be what we, traditionally, would describe as waste items. They've reimagined so many things that we would throw away or recycle, and featured them as beautiful pieces in the garden." As the host of one of Repak's panel discussions, Linehan hopes that the garden will inspire attendees to open their minds to reusing household items. As it stands, three in five (60%) of people surveyed have used empty packaging for gardening purposes, such as starting seeds, as plant pots, for watering or for creating plant labels. "I think people are so innovative," Linehan says of the findings. "The fact that that many gardeners are thinking that way is amazing." Although the enthusiasm to recycle seems to be there, Linehan says that there is often a "knowledge gap" when it comes to organising our bins. According to the research, less than half of adults can correctly identify which bins tinfoil (44%), cosmetic jars (45%) and deodorant cans (50%) should go in, while 71% don't know how to recycle bleach bottles correctly. So, let's get straight to the answers: Tinfoil is recyclable as long as it is clean, dry, and loose. Cosmetic jars are recyclable as long as they are clean, dry and loose. Empty glass jars can be placed in the glass recycling bin, while plastic jars are typically recyclable with other plastics in the green / recycling bin at home. Deodorant cans can not be recycled as they are aerosols. Bleach & household cleaning bottles are recyclable as long as they are clean, dry and loose. This means you should rinse them to remove any residue, ensure they are completely dry, and place them loosely in the bin, without any bags, and with the lid on. As well as hosting a panel discussion featuring Repak Members Ballymaloe Foods, Britvic Ireland, Coca Cola HBC, Homestore and More, Lidl Ireland and Musgrave to explore the future of recycling, Linehan will be speaking across the weekend on topics including sustainable fashion and sustainable beauty. Over the five days of the festival, the journalist hopes to inspire optimistic, creative, and exciting conversations surrounding sustainability in Ireland. "We hear so much about the negatives of what's happening to the environment, but we never really hear about the amazing things," she muses. "It's lovely to shine a light on the things that are really good." When it comes to simple and effective ways to improve household recycling, Jo says to follow these four tips: Print out recycling guides and stick them on the fridge or above the bin. Every household is entitled to a brown compost bin - if you don't have one, get in touch with your bin supplier or apartment management. Add coffee grounds to the plants in your garden. Make a bird feeder from an empty plastic bottle - you can find handy tutorials on YouTube. "It can be a really overwhelming thing to say you're going to be more sustainable," she admits. "It's really difficult to do, so if the only thing you did was up your recycling a bit or get that compost bin and start using it, that would be massive." In fact, according to Repak, if every Bloom visitor decided to recycle one more item per day, it would result in 36.5 million more items diverted from landfill - the equivalent of 28 GAA pitches.
RTÉ News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
8 things to see and do at Bloom 2025
A staple of the June Bank Holiday Weekend, Bord Bia Bloom is an annual extravaganza of food, fashion, flowers and craft. Now celebrating its 19th year, Ireland's premier garden festival takes place across 70 beautiful acres of Dublin's Phoenix Park from Thursday, 29 May - Monday, 2 June. This spectacular gardening festival is a great event for garden designers, flower lovers, landscapers, garden furniture admirers, food fanatics and anyone who loves to spend time in nature. This year's festival will feature 21 Show Gardens, 30 live cookery demos, 40 live talks,and more than 100 of Ireland's top food and drink producers. To get you started, we've highlighted eight of our must-see spots for 2025: 1. Visit the Super Garden winner Visit the winning garden design from this year's Super Garden! Last night, Laois woman Debbie Brophy was crowned the winner of Super Garden 2025 thanks to her 'bee happy' wildlife garden, which was inspired by a honeybee colony that moved into her own garden. Thanks to her win, Debbie will have her design exhibited at Bord Bia Bloom, and she is buzzing for it. Speaking on her win, she said: "It's an immense feeling; there will be a hundred thousand people coming to see our garden and it means the world". 2. Make your garden eco-friendly The Most Sorted Garden, sponsored by Repak, is a living, breathing showcase of the circular economy in action. Designed by award-winning garden designer James Purdy, the space will help visitors understand how to recycle better at home. Across the five days, there will be a range of engaging and educational experiences including panel discussions, cooking demos and child-friendly workshops. Highlights include a panel discussion hosted by sustainability advocate Jo Linehan, as well as a waste-cutting cooking workshop from Donal Skehan. For even more tips, make a beeline for the Conservation Area where you can chat with leading conservationists and environmentalists. Here you will also find the inspirational Sustainable Living Stage, which will host a packed programme of talks on a wide range of topics, from the circular economy and renewable energy to gardening with fewer chemicals and sustainable fashion advice. 3. Taste the best of Irish food and drink The Food Hall within the Food Village features more than 100 of Ireland's artisan producers. From chocolates to cheese and oysters to teas, there is plenty to tantalise your tastebuds. While you're there, you can pop over to Bloom Inn, where some of the country's best craft brewers and distillers are gathered. For more delicious dining options, head to The Seafood Terrace, Country Crest Restaurant, or choose from more than 60 food trucks who are serving a wide variety of cuisines in the Picnic Area, Food Village, and Bloom's dedicated grill zone, BBQ Bliss, sponsored by Ninja Woodfire. If you want something extra special, there is 'A Taste of Bloom', curated by Neven Maguire, which features a three-course menu designed by the MacNean House chef-proprietor to showcase some of the very best ingredients from quality Irish producers. The special package is available on Ticketmaster, priced at €79 per person, which includes entry to the festival and a three-course lunch. 4. Watch your favourite chefs and culinary stars in action Donal Skehan, Neven Maguire, Aishling Moore and Catherine Fulvio are among a collection of culinary stars taking to the Dunnes Stores Quality Kitchen Stage this year. With 30 live demos planned for the weekend, this is a must-see for anyone who loves to cook. Seafood fans should also check out Bloom's new Seafood Kitchen, where chef Trisha Lewis is hosting three demos each day. 5. Catch more gardening, floral art and craft demos and workshops With 300 talks, demos, performances and workshops taking place across the Bloom weekend, there is ample opportunity to grow, taste and learn at this year's festival. You can learn how to care for houseplants or make a floral crown in the new Botanical Hub Demo Space; discover some fascinating facts and enjoy the simulators at the Horticulture is Life area; find out how to grow abundant kitchen gardens in the Eat Well Garden; enjoy farming demos at the Agri Aware Farm; and see some of Ireland's master craftspeople demonstrate their skills in the Design & Craft Council Ireland (DCCI) Irish Craft Village. You can see the full event schedule here. 6. Visit the RTÉ stage There is no shortage of musical entertainment planned for the Bloom weekend. Head to the Entertainment Stage to watch an eclectic collection of artists perform and make sure to stop by RTÉ's outdoor broadcast area to see your favourite presenters broadcast live, including Louise Duffy, Derek Mooney, Philip Boucher-Hayes, Marty Whelan, Simon Delaney and more. You can see RTÉ's full programme here. 7. Invest in some top-tier plants Whether you're a budding gardener or a veteran plant parent, visit the Nursery Village and The Plant Emporium for some retail therapy. If you buy too many to carry, fear not. You can store them in the Plant Crèche, sponsored by Certa Renewables, until it's time to go home. If plants aren't your thing, head to the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) Irish Craft Village. Here, you'll find a selection of Ireland's most talented craftspeople showcasing their wares in a charming village of 38 tents. There will also be workshops, demonstrations, and drop-in craft activities for all the family. 8. Have fun with your Budding Bloomers The Budding Bloomers Children's Area is perfect for little ones. There will be face painting, crafting, and a rip-roaring lineup of performances from some of Ireland's favourite children's entertainers. Elsewhere in the festival, children can visit the Phoenix Park Playground, the Agri Aware Farm. and get their hands dirty in the Westland Horticulture Potting Shed. Remember, two children aged 16 and under can enter for free with every adult ticket. Getting there If you plan on attending, be sure to visit the Plan Your Day section of the Bloom website to get the most out of your trip. Visitors are encouraged to take public transport to the festival when possible. A regular, free shuttle bus is available to take visitors from Parkgate Street, next to the Luas Red Line and Heuston Station, to the festival's entrance on Chesterfield Avenue.
