Defra Consultation on Recycling Targets for Packaging for 2008 and Beyond
December 2007
FDF has made a submission to Defra in response to Defra, the Scottish Government
and the Welsh Assembly Government consultation to review existing packaging
recycling targets for 2008-10 and to propose new targets for 2011-12.
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive sets minimum recycling and
recovery targets that the UK must meet by 31 December 2008. The UK, along with
other
member states, must also seek to maintain these levels to at least 60% over
subsequent years. The Commission itself is unlikely to propose changes to the
Directive
targets before 2014.
In UK, the Packaging Directive is implemented through the Producer
Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007. These
Regulations
incorporate
business targets that reflect estimates of the amount of packaging entering the
UK
waste stream compared to the levels of 'obligated tonnage' in order that the
UK
meets the Directive targets.
Based on the assessment of the latest trends in pack flow and obligated tonnage
data, and assuming these continue, the UK would fail to meet the Directive
targets in glass, metals, plastics and overall recovery in 2008. The UK would
also
fail
to meet the Directive targets for some of these materials in 2009-10. To
leave
things as they are would therefore run the risk that infraction
proceedings
are
taken against the UK and possible financial penalties.
Defra therefore proposes to increase the business targets already set for
2008-10, as well as propose new targets for 2011-12 to maintain the momentum.
This is
also in line with the Waste Strategy's goals of meeting and exceeding the
diversion targets the UK has to meet under the Landfill Directive. Furthermore
in the
past industry has requested 5-year targets to allow for long-term planning and
investment decisions to be made.
Whilst the FDF response supports the Government's proposed options for
increasing the targets it highlights a remaining significant amount of
free-riding non
compliance which needs to be investigated and tackled.
More Information
FDF Response to the Defra Consultation on Recycling Targets for Packaging for
2008 and Beyond (pdf, 83.5kb)
Last reviewed: 08 Aug 2008