Packaging and packaging waste: recovery and recycling of waste

PURPOSE: A revision of the Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste in the field of recovery and recycling targets. CONTENT: First signed in 1994 the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive aims to offer a high level of environmental protection combined with the need to avoid distortions in the internal market. Under the legal provisions of the Directive, the Commission is obliged to propose new targets for recovery and recycling for the next five years no later than six months before the end of the first five-year phase. Hence, the proposed revision is limited to the establishment of recovery and recycling targets to be achieved by 30 June 2006 and a clarification of the definition used for this purpose. As yet, no changes are foreseen relating to the other aspects of the Directives, such as prevention, reuse, producer responsibility or the New Approach. These will be the subject of discussions under the 6th Environmental Action Programme. Specifically, the proposed revision includes the following measures: - The definition of "packaging" has been clarified and set out in Annex I; - New references to "mechanical recycling", "chemical recycling" and "feedstock recycling" have been made; - New targets for recovery and recycling to be implemented no later than 30 June 2006 are: Between 60% as a minimum and 75% as a maximum by weight of packaging waste to be recovered; Between 55% as a minimum and 70% as a maximum by weight of packaging waste to be recycled; In terms of minimum recycling targets for material contained in packaging waste the following targets are set: 60% by weight for glass; 55% by weight for paper and board; 50% by weight for metals; 20% by weight for plastics, exclusively by mechanical and/or chemical recycling; - Greece, Ireland and Portugal may, in view of their specific situation, postpone the attainment of the targets referred to until the date of their own choice which shall be no later than 30 June 2009; - Industry will be obliged to identify and classify the nature of the packaging material used.�