While plastics are a convenient and useful material, littered plastics can cause environmental damage. The Single-Use Plastics Directive, EU Directive 2019/904 (“the Directive”), is an essential element of the European Commission’s Plastics Strategy and contributes to the zero-pollution ambition for the EU, benefiting public health, the environment and climate neutrality. The Directive entered into force on 3 July 2019.
See the EU Directive 2019/904:
EUR-Lex – 32019L0904 – EN – EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
For the purpose of giving further effect to EU Directive 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastics on the environment, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has enacted the European Union (Extended Producer Responsibility)(Tobacco Filters Containing Plastic) Regulations 2022.
See the Regulations 2022: S.I. No. 609/2022 – European Union (Extended Producer Responsibility) (Tobacco Filters Containing Plastic) Regulations 2022 (irishstatutebook.ie).
As specified in S. I. No. 609/2022, producers of tobacco products with filters containing plastic and filters containing plastic marketed for use in combination with tobacco products are required to cover the costs associated with their products disposed of in public spaces.
Specifically, the following are supported:
The costs of the infrastructure referred to may include the setting up of specific infrastructure for waste collection of relevant products including appropriate waste receptacles in common litter hotspots.
