Update on PRI from the DECLG and Tyres Working Group 

The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) has issued a statement in relation to the Tyres Working Group that is discussing the formation of a new Government Producer Responsibility Initiative for waste tyres in the Republic of Ireland.

A spokesman for the DECLG and Tyre Working Group told the Tyre Trade Journal: ” By way of background, arising from the Minister’s decision to establish a full PRI scheme for the tyre industry, and the Tyres Working Group decision to establish a number of sub-groups to discuss issues of concern to the industry, a number of decisions has been taken regarding the new structures for the tyre sector.”

He added: The sub-groups met on a number of occasions during April and May and submitted their reports to this Department on the 7th of May last. The Tyres Working Group met on 19th May to discuss the sub-group reports and, on the basis of the reports submitted by the sub-groups, agreed a number of issues relating to: 1. Registration and reporting requirements;  2. Transitional arrangements between now and the establishment of the new scheme; and 3. Enforcement arrangements.
 
Full details of all decisions reached will be circulated shortly to members of the tyres working group in draft meeting minutes. Further discussion and consideration by the working group of the level of visible Environmental Management Charge (vEMC) and funding structure will take place in the coming weeks.”

 “The Department has been working with the ITIA, Local Authorities (through the City and County Manager’s Association), the EPA, the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland, the WEEE Register Society and Repak on the development of a new Producer Responsibility model for waste tyres in Ireland through the Tyres Working Group, established by the Minister for the Environment. 

The ITWRA is a member of this group and was previously involved in these discussions but has not attended recent meetings. At the request of a number of elected representatives, the Department met with the ITWRA to provide an update on the recent work of the Tyres Working Group and preparations for a full PRI.”

The spokesman also said: “The Department has been working with the ITIA, Local Authorities (through the City and County Manager’s Association), the EPA, the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland, the WEEE Register Society and Repak on the development of a new Producer Responsibility model for waste tyres in Ireland through the Tyres Working Group, which was established by the Minister for the Environment. The ITWRA is a member of this group and was previously involved in these discussions but has not attended recent meetings. At the request of a number of elected representatives, the Department recently met with the ITWRA to provide an update on the recent work of the Tyres Working Group and preparations for a full PRI”.
 
Finally, he said: “The Tyres Working Group would welcome any comments from industry on any of the matters discussed at sub-group level or any other concerns that you might have. You may contact us (the Tyres Working Group) in the following ways: Phone: Lo-call 1890 20 20 21 Extension: 7346;  Email to: pri@environ.ie ;  or by post to: The Tyres Working Group, Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Government Offices, Newtown Road, Wexford.”