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You are here: CIWM  >  Publications  >  Latest News  >  Defra Sets Tougher Targets For Packaging Recycling

Defra Sets Tougher Targets For Packaging Recycling

19 December 2011

Proposals for tougher packaging recycling targets that will stop 400,000 tonnes of packaging going to landfill by 2017 have been announced today by Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman

The new targets for packaging producers will also ease the demand on raw natural materials and improve resource efficiency by making more recyclable materials available for businesses.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "Christmas is a time when, more than ever, we all notice the amount of packaging that comes with the things we buy. An alarming amount of this is still going to landfill.

"These new, more ambitious targets will deliver real environmental and economic benefits. They will give a new incentive to companies to cut down on excess packaging and increase efforts to have their materials recycled."

The proposed new targets are:

  • Increase the steel recycling target by one percent per year, from 71 percent in 2012 to 76 percent by 2017;
  • Increase the aluminium recycling target by three percent per year, from 40 percent in 2012 to 55 percent in 2017;
  • Increase the plastics recycling target by five percent per year, from 32 percent to 57 per cent by 2017; and
  • Increase the overall packaging recovery rate by one percent each year, from 74 percent in 2012 to 79 percent in 2017.

The proposed targets would also see glass recycling split into sub-categories to boost the amount of glass that is re-melted.　 This is　more environmentally friendly than using it as an aggregate in such things as building materials.　

These targets have been drawn up following recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Packaging and fulfil a commitment in the Waste Review, published in the summer, to consult on increased recycling targets. This balances the need for environmental ambition and affordability for businesses and government.

A consultation on the new packaging recycling targets will run for eight weeks, closing on Friday 10 February 2012 with a final decision on the new targets announced in the 2012 Budget.

Darrel Moore