DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release ref
:82/09) issued by COI News Distribution Service on 9 April 2009
The UK recycled
almost two-thirds of all packaging produced in 2008, according to
the latest figures from the Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Environment Agency.
Last year UK businesses contributed to the recovery of more than
seven million tonnes of packaging waste of which 6.6 million
tonnes were recycled, the equivalent of saving roughly 8.9 million
tonnes of CO2.
Environment Minister Jane Kennedy said:
"This is a really significant achievement and shows that we
are making good progress on packaging recycling. Businesses
which handle packaging have a vital role to play in reducing the
amount of waste we're sending to landfill and I'm
pleased to see they're doing their bit."
Environment Agency Chief Executive Dr Paul Leinster said:
"The level of carbon saving - equivalent to the amount of
CO2 generated by around one-and-a-half million UK homes each year
- shows why it's important for all of us to keep on
recycling. Last year was the best year yet for the amount of
packaging waste recycled. Everyone - the public, local
authorities and businesses - should be proud of what has been
achieved and spurred on to do even more.
"We'll continue to help businesses meet their
obligations and take tough action against those avoiding their responsibilities."
All EU Member States have targets set by the EU on packaging
recycling and recovery. The 2008 targets were recycling 55 per
cent and recovering 60 per cent of packaging across the year.
There are specific targets for a range of recyclable materials
and the UK has met or exceeded all its targets:
* Paper: 79.8 per cent recycled (target 60 per cent)
* Glass:
61.3 per cent recycled (target 60 per cent)
* Metal: 56.9 per
cent recycled (target 50 per cent)
* Plastic: 23.7 per cent
recycled (target 22.5 per cent)
* Wood: 78.5 per cent recycled
(target 15 per cent)
Notes to Editors
1. Businesses contributed financially to the recovery of
packaging by fulfilling their obligations under the Producer
Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations.
2.The 2008 packaging recycling and recovery figures can be found
at http://npwd.environment-agency.gov.uk/Public/PublicSummaryData.aspx
3. More information on the Government's action to cut
packaging waste can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics/packaging/index.htm
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