MoreThanWaste.com - UK Government proposes tougher targets for packaging waste (12/10/2007)

"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"

Joan Ruddock, Minister for the Environment

London, UK: The Government intends to issue new targets for packaging waste recycling and recovery effective from January 2008 to help the UK meet its obligations under the EC Packaging Directive, according to new proposals from Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The proposals are contained in a consultation paper published by Environment Minister Joan Ruddock yesterday.

The target system applies to businesses that handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging a year and with an annual turnover of over £2m, with the aim of encouraging producers to reduce their packaging levels and hence their costs of compliance.

Directive and regulations

The Packaging Directive sets minimum recycling and recovery rates for packaging waste for 2008, which the UK must attain by 31 December 2008, and this also has to be continued over following years.

Environment Minister, Joan Ruddock

The Packaging Directive is implemented through a system of ‘producer responsibility which encourages ‘producers’ to reduce packaging and consequently the cost of their obligations.

The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 (the Regulations) translate the EU targets into a set of UK targets which reflect the UK packaging markets and waste arisings so that the UK, as a whole, meets the Directive targets

Since the introduction of the UK Packaging Regulations in 1997, the level of packaging waste recovery has increased significantly.

Beyond 2008

After 2008 it is at the discretion of Member States to set targets beyond the minimum required by the Packaging Directive and the UK Government aims to continue to improve performance on packaging waste, in particular because of the environmental benefits this brings.

Higher targets are therefore proposed for 2009 and beyond to increase the level of recovery and recycling, according to Defra.

Defra says that the Government sees an increase in the recovery of packaging waste as an essential part of its waste management strategy. In particular the meeting and exceeding landfill diversion targets, increasing the diversion of commercial waste from landfill, and increasing recycling and energy recovery from waste, using a mix of technologies; and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Recycling and recovery targets

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.

There is considerable environmental benefit through recycling packaging as this reduces CO2 emissions. Less energy is used to extract and process recycled materials than virgin ones, particularly materials like aluminium.

There are also important cost benefits of around £1.1m which represents the difference between the estimated costs to producers of £7.7m, and carbon savings estimated at £8.8m, according to Defra.

Government’s preferred option

Proposed targets of the Government’s preferred option for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively are:

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%

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.”

Further information

The consultation from Defra is published in conjunction with the Welsh Assembly Government www.countryside.wales.gov.uk and the Scottish Executive www.scotland.gov.uk.

The consultation discusses the overall recovery targets, overall recycling and material-specific recycling targets for packaging waste and reviews the existing UK targets for 2008 in order to determine whether they will achieve the targets in the EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste.

In addition the consultation reviews the existing targets in place for 2009 and 2010 and proposes new targets up to 2012.

The Consultation can be found on the Defra website:
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/packaging-reg07/index.htm .


	UK Government proposes tougher targets for packaging waste (12/10/2007) "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" Joan Ruddock, Minister for the Environment London, UK: The Government intends to issue new targets for packaging waste recycling and recovery effective from January 2008 to help the UK meet its obligations under the EC Packaging Directive, according to new proposals from Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The proposals are contained in a consultation paper published by Environment Minister Joan Ruddock yesterday. The target system applies to businesses that handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging a year and with an annual turnover of over £2m, with the aim of encouraging producers to reduce their packaging levels and hence their costs of compliance. Directive and regulations The Packaging Directive sets minimum recycling and recovery rates for packaging waste for 2008, which the UK must attain by 31 December 2008, and this also has to be continued over following years. Environment Minister, Joan Ruddock The Packaging Directive is implemented through a system of ‘producer responsibility which encourages ‘producers’ to reduce packaging and consequently the cost of their obligations. The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 (the Regulations) translate the EU targets into a set of UK targets which reflect the UK packaging markets and waste arisings so that the UK, as a whole, meets the Directive targets Since the introduction of the UK Packaging Regulations in 1997, the level of packaging waste recovery has increased significantly. Beyond 2008 After 2008 it is at the discretion of Member States to set targets beyond the minimum required by the Packaging Directive and the UK Government aims to continue to improve performance on packaging waste, in particular because of the environmental benefits this brings. Higher targets are therefore proposed for 2009 and beyond to increase the level of recovery and recycling, according to Defra. Defra says that the Government sees an increase in the recovery of packaging waste as an essential part of its waste management strategy. In particular the meeting and exceeding landfill diversion targets, increasing the diversion of commercial waste from landfill, and increasing recycling and energy recovery from waste, using a mix of technologies; and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling and recovery targets 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. There is considerable environmental benefit through recycling packaging as this reduces CO2 emissions. Less energy is used to extract and process recycled materials than virgin ones, particularly materials like aluminium. There are also important cost benefits of around £1.1m which represents the difference between the estimated costs to producers of £7.7m, and carbon savings estimated at £8.8m, according to Defra. Government’s preferred option Proposed targets of the Government’s preferred option for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively are: 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% 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.” Further information The consultation from Defra is published in conjunction with the Welsh Assembly Government www.countryside.wales.gov.uk and the Scottish Executive www.scotland.gov.uk. The consultation discusses the overall recovery targets, overall recycling and material-specific recycling targets for packaging waste and reviews the existing UK targets for 2008 in order to determine whether they will achieve the targets in the EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste. In addition the consultation reviews the existing targets in place for 2009 and 2010 and proposes new targets up to 2012. The Consultation can be found on the Defra website: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/packaging-reg07/index.htm .