CorrugatedPallets.com | Europe raises recycling targets

Europe raises recycling targets

By: Adrian Cox, Bloomberg News
Date Modified: 2002-09-04

European Union law makers voted to increase targets for recycling product packaging, trying to reduce environmental damage from waste glass, metals, plastic and paper.

The European Parliament voted 487 to 6 with 53 abstentions to make governments aim to recycle 65 per cent of waste packaging, compared with the current target of 25 per cent.

Some retailers said the goals are unrealistic.

“Increased targets will impose a huge additional cost,” Bill Moyles, director general of the British Retail Consortium, said in a statement. Consortium members include Marks & Spencer Group PLC, Tesco PLC and Boots PLC. “Such cost increases can be justified if the resulting environmental benefits outweigh the costs, but not otherwise.”

The goals are part of the EU’s promotion of recycling, including recent laws making producers of cars and electronic equipment pay to dispose of old products. In January, the European Commission proposed making chemical and oil companies pay to clean up pollution.

Countries will remain free to choose who pays for the collection and recycling of packaging. The targets will need the approval of the 15 EU governments.

Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden were the only countries to recycle more than 60 per cent of packaging waste in 1998, according to the commission, the EU’s executive arm. Italy and the United Kingdom recycled only 28 per cent.

The commission did not provide figures for Greece, Ireland and Portugal, which would have until July, 2009, to meet the targets.

EU environment commissioner Margot Wallstroem welcomed the vote, which went further than her original proposal to recycle 55 per cent of packaging waste.