Some local authorities and Repak have set up an environmentally friendly way of getting rid of part of the 80lb of waste produced by the average family at Christmas. They are encouraging householders to recycle their packaging waste as part of the first national Repak "Green Christmas" campaign, announced in Dublin yesterday.
Local authorities in Cos Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Mayo, Monaghan, Louth, Tipperary and Wexford are providing "Green Christmas" recycling centres. Householders can bring plastic, glass, paper and aluminium cans to them.
These centres will be open from Monday to January 6th. Opening hours vary for each site. Local authority personnel will be on hand to provide assistance.
Mr Andrew Hetherington, chief executive of Repak, said the initiative began last year in conjunction with Dublin Corporation. Some 100 tonnes of packaging waste was diverted from landfill. "Due to the success of last year's campaign, we are asking everyone in the country to recycle as much of their packaging waste as possible."
Ms Leona Kilpatrick, marketing executive of Repak, said Repak hopes to collect 300-400 tonnes of packaging waste this Christmas. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Michael Mulcahy, encouraged all Dubliners to use the recycling facilities.
Locations and opening hours will be available in the media. Householders can also contact their local authority, or can log on to www.repak.ie