Environment Minister Joan Ruddock has this month set out proposals for a consultation which means that more packaging will be recovered and recycled. If the proposed measures are successful, new business targets will come into force in January 2008 to help the UK meet its obligations under the Packaging Directive 94/62/EC. Higher targets are also planned for 2009 and beyond. After 2008 it is at the discretion of Member States to set targets beyond the minimum required by the Directive and the UK has made it clear that they aim to continue to improve performance on packaging waste because of the environmental benefits this brings.
Ms Ruddock commented, "Since the introduction of the UK Packaging Regulations, packaging recycling has significantly improved, 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 emissions." 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.
These 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 2007. Further information on the consultation, which closes on 30 November 2007, can be found at www.defra.gov.uk.
