Mr. Alan Kelly, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government today (17th October) attended and presented awards to the winners at the annual Repak Recycling Awards at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny. The Minister presented awards to the businesses, local authorities, schools, and waste operators who had been rewarded for their commitment to the prevention, minimisation and recycling of packaging.
The Minister congratulated Repak and its members for their continued commitment to the development of packaging recycling in Ireland. The Minister remarked “The latest available packaging statistics are for 2012 and Ireland is now the second best packaging waste management performer in the EU-28 (Belgium top at 80%, Ireland at 74%). Repak and its members can be justifiably proud of their achievements”.
The Minister added “There have been significant changes in the structure of Repak in the recent past with the appointment of a new Chairman, a new Chief Executive Officer and a new Board. I have no doubt that these changes have rejuvenated Repak and it is now a leaner, re-focussed, more dynamic organisation which is more in touch with its membership base and fit to face the challenges that lie ahead, including the challenge presented by growth in the economy”.
The Minister congratulated both the nominees for awards and the winners and said “Every organisation nominated for an award deserves our praise. But I would especially like to congratulate all the winners here today and encourage each and every one of you to keep up the good work”.