WIREDGOV

Tougher targets for packaging waste

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (362/07) issued by The Government News Network on 11 October 2007

More packaging would be recovered and recycled under proposals set out in a consultation published by Environment Minister Joan Ruddock today.

New business targets would come into effect in January 2008 to help the UK meet its obligations under the EC Packaging Directive. Higher targets are proposed for 2009 and beyond to increase the level of recovery and recycling.

After 2008 it is at the discretion of Member States to set targets beyond the minimum required by the Packaging Directive and the UK has made clear that its aim is to continue to improve performance on packaging waste because of the environmental benefits this brings.

Joan Ruddock said:

"Since the introduction of the UK Packaging Regulations packaging recycling has improved significantly, from just 27% in 1997 to over 57% last year. But there is much more to be done. Further cuts in packaging waste are an essential part of reducing our reliance on landfill and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

"The higher targets can also act as a driver to help design out unnecessary packaging in future."

The EU minimum recycling and recovery targets are 55% and 60% respectively. The Government's preferred option would increase the recycling target to 55.7% in 2008, 56.8% in 2009 and 58.4% in 2010, and the recovery target to 60.6%, 61.8% and 63.4% in the same years.

Recycling packaging reduces CO2 emissions because less energy is used to extract and process recycled materials than virgin ones, particularly materials like aluminium.

As well as the environmental benefits of cutting CO2 emissions and reducing reliance on landfill, the proposals have cost benefits of around £1.1m - the difference between the estimated costs to producers of £7.7m, and carbon savings estimated at £8.8m.

The proposals are consistent with the Government's 'polluter pays' principal, and the aims of the new Waste Strategy for England which was published in May.

Notes to Editors

The consultation is published at http://www.defra.gov.uk and closes on 30 November 2007.

The target system applies to businesses that handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging a year and with an annual turnover of over £2m. It encourages producers to reduce their packaging levels because this reduces the cost to them of recycling and recovering their waste.

Proposed targets of the Government's preferred option:

                   2008      2009      2010      2011     2012
      Paper             67.5%     68.5%     69.5%     70.5%    71.5%
      Glass             78.5%     80.0%     81.0%       82%      84%
      Aluminium         38.0%     39.0%     40.0%       41%      42%
      Steel             68.0%     68.5%     69.0%       70%      71%
      Plastic           26.0%     27.0%     29.0%       31%      33%
      Wood              20.5%     21.0%     22.0%       23%      24%
      Recovery          69.0%     70.0%     71.0%       73%      75% 

Today's consultation is published in conjunction with the Welsh Assembly Government http://www.countryside.wales.gov.uk and the Scottish Executive http://www.scotland.gov.uk.

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