Optimise your packaging with Repak

Repak says it can help hardware retailers and builders merchants manage their package waste in compliance with EU legislation.

Repak is a ‘for-purpose’ organisation set up by industry in 1997. With the aim of helping its hardware members to comply with EU packaging waste legislation. If your hardware business has a turnover of greater than €1 million and places 10 tonnes, or more of, packaging on the Irish market, Repak can help you with your obligation to fund recycling in Ireland. Since the formation of Repak, Ireland has grown packaging recycling from around 15%, at that time, to 70% today.

However, Repak doesn’t just promote recycling, it also encourages the optimisation of packaging through its free Prevent and Save Programme. According to Repak, its Packaging Technology team is the leader in packaging optimisation and is dedicated to delivering major savings for Repak members.

Cost reductions

Brian Walsh, Repak’s Packaging Technologist, explains: “Our team work directly with industry to deliver programmes that reduce the amount of packaging placed onto the Irish market by
our members. By optimising packaging, your hardware business could see a reduction in packaging and packaging waste costs. If you manufacture hardware or construction products, you may
even see lower energy bills when running certain packaging equipment. It can also provide you with an opportunity to innovate by using equivalent lighter weight packaging technologies”.

Repak’s Prevent and Save Programme can provide members of the hardware sector with:

1. a free packaging optimisation survey at your premises. By analysing all types of packaging,  flowing both into and out of a company, and by examining product (primary), grouped (secondary) and transport (tertiary) packaging, Repak’s packaging team can find ways of optimising hardware packaging systems as a whole, so that your business can achieve the best use of available resources. This, in turn, helps to reduce the overall amount of packaging your hardware business places on the Irish market. Whether you manufacture hardware or construction  products, or simply own a hardware store, Repak can also have a quick look at your existing waste management practices and make some suggestions that could save money on your waste bills;
2. a free confidential report on packaging and waste management optimisation. After completing the on-site survey, Repak will provide you with a detailed technical report. This report guides your company through the opportunities you have to improve your packaging systems and reduce packaging waste. Repak will follow up with you where you need any assistance; and,
3. ongoing updates on packaging optimisation best practice.  The Prevent and Save section of the Repak website is regularly updated with tips and industry case studies showing examples
   of how Repak members are improving their packaging systems and reducing packaging waste. These publications are free-of-charge to Repak members and are designed to share best practice amongst our members. We are always looking for Repak members from the hardware sector to participate.

PREVENT AND SAVE:HOW IT WORKS

In 2016, Repak invited MacCann & Byrne to participate in its Prevent and Save programme. Paschal Marry, Managing Director, MacCann & Byrne Ltd commented: “We were delighted with the Prevent and Save programme as it had a positive effect on the current business environment and has made the company look at the future. We have reduced the plastic packaging on particular products, which has had no impact on our customers. This saving is reducing our carbon footprint and also has financial savings. The programme is very well implemented and structured, and is non-invasive”

For more information on Repak’s Prevent and Save Programme please visit www.repak.ie/preventandsave. For further information on any of the services provided by Repak as part of the Prevent and Save Programme, contact Brian Walsh or Colm Munnelly: prevention@repak.ie or 01 467 0190.

This Business Support article featured in the March/April 2017 edition of The Hardware Journal.