Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations, 2020

The objective of these regulations is to enhance the circular economy by making provision for the establishment and operation of a beverage container refund scheme, enhance the collection and recycling of beverage containers, increase national recycling efforts, reduce litter. These regulations implement the provisions of Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste with respect to beverage containers, but they do not exempt producers from their obligations under the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations for any beverages or beverage containers or other forms of packaging that are not covered under these regulations. The regulations are composed of eight parts, organized in 44 articles, plus five schedules. After providing for the definitions in the first part, the Regulations make provisions for the licence necessary to operate beverage container refund system scheme (part II). The third part describe the scheme, according to which whoever intends to make available, on the market any beverage container shall register with the licensed operator and shall register any such beverage container by providing the licensed operator with all the details that it may require for the purposes of the operation of the Scheme. The fourth part provides for the exemption from the Scheme for refillable containers. Part five sets rules for Return of beverage containers to retailers operating redemption locations and catering on behalf of the licensed operator or the producer. Part six is dedicated to enforcement and penalties. Part seven provides for the submission of an annual report by the Resource, Recovery and Recycling Agency to the Minister. Part eight brings various provisions (miscellaneous). The schedules follow, concerning the beverages falling within the scope of the regulations, the container specifications, the minimum deposit value for containers, the registration fee for every beverage type intended to be placed on the market and the collection targets.