News

3rd September 2002

Expensive new waste laws unrealistic

Damaging and unrealistic new waste disposal laws to deal with the Environmental threat from the EU's growing mountain of packaging waste were voted for by MEPs in the European Parliament today.

The Corbey Report states that packaging waste must be cut by 10% by 2008. The report also proposed minimum recycling targets of 65%, which the UK (with a current recycling rate of 42%) would find challenging. New requirements state that by 1st January 2008 new packaging is only placed on the market if it is biodegradable or can be recycled.

But amendments by German and Green MEPs to impose a 2006 deadline were passed today, placing the UK's packaging Industry under greater pressure. The UK Government has estimated that this could cost UK industry an extra 108 to 134 Million Euros.

Speaking in Strasbourg after the vote John Bowis said,

"We all want to see a reduction in the amount of packaging waste, but laws need to be realistic. Member States and European Industry are seriously unprepared for a target date of 2006. Too much haste will be counterproductive, putting at risk the stability of the UK's waste management sector, while imposing vast additional cost on UK Industry.

While we accept that the UK needs to catch up with much of Europe, present increased efforts could be ruined by pushing too far, too fast. 2008 represents a sensible timeframe, giving the Industry time to respond which we continue to recommend."