New targets for recycling of packaging waste

A consultation paper, published on 15 August, gives estimates of the amount of packaging waste that will flow into the waste stream in 2001, and examines the amount of this waste that would be recovered and recycled under the UK Business Recovery and Recycling targets currently proposed for 2001. According to the document, the current targets would not be sufficient for the UK to meet its European obligations for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste, and so proposes the higher levels.

Around half of packaging waste comes from households, so an increase in packaging waste recycling will contribute to the targets placed on local authorities, as well as a reduction in packaging waste going to landfill.

The document, Consultation Paper on recovery and recycling Targets for Packaging Waste in 2001 – The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulation, is available from DETR Free Literature, PO Box 236, Wetherby, LS23 7NB; telephone: 0870 1226 236, quoting product code: 00 DPL 007.

Written comments from interested parties should be sent, by 22 September 2000, to: Paul McKinney, Producer Responsibility Unit, DETR, 7/F9 Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DE.