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ESA Backs Defras Higher Packaging Targets

13 February 2012

The Environmental Services Association (ESA) has announced its support of the government's proposals to raise packaging recycling targets

The proposals　include increases　in the material-specific targets for　aluminium, steel, plastics as well as a new split target for glass, they include no change in the targets for paper and wood.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs also　said the proposals　would stop 400,000 tonnes of packaging going to landfill by 2017, ease the demand on raw natural materials and improve resource efficiency by making more recyclable materials available for businesses.

ESA's director of policy, Matthew Farrow, said: "Recycling levels have risen dramatically in the last ten years and packaging has been a big part of that success story. But we believe that we can do more, and ambitious but achievable targets set out for a full 5 year period will support investment in the infrastructure needed to make this happen."

The ESA also supported the principle of a separate target for glass re-melt with some reservations about the practicality. "We agree with Ministers that there will be environmental benefits from encouraging more glass recyclate into re-melt. However using the PRN system to do this may be challenging and will need careful thought," Farrow said.

ESA also criticised the intention to remove composite packaging products from waste calculations. Farrow continued: "We are against taking out composite products from the scheme. These products, made from a number of different materials, are more difficult to recycle but we shouldn't be removing the incentives to do so. In effect this would give waste producers a 'free pass' when placing them on the market."

At present, packaging recycling targets have only been set until 2012 and these have been broadly flat for the past two years. The proposed targets are intended to run from January 1 2013 for five years in order to give greater certainty for planning and investment purposes.

UK targets

The proposed new targets, which cover the whole of the UK, include:

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

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. A new Packaging Directive is expected from 2014.

www.defra.gov.uk

www.esauk.org

Darrel Moore