Written question asked by Bill O'Brien (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 April 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 May 2002. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 May 2002 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reasons the Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste sets different targets for different materials in the packaging chain; and if she will make a statement. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons the Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste sets different targets for different materials in the packaging chain; and if she will make a statement. [53212] Mr. Meacher: The EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste 94/62/EC sets targets for overall recovery, recycling and material-specific recycling of packaging waste. The first targets to be met under this Directive were due in 2001 and were: Between 50 per cent. and 65 per cent. of packaging waste to be recovered; Between 25 per cent. and 45 per cent. to be recycled; and 15 per cent. of each packaging material to be recycled. Material-specific targets for recycling ensure that at least a minimum level of recycling is carried out in each major material and allow those involved in the collection and recovery infrastructure to plan ahead. In the Commission's proposed revision to the Directive, new differentiated material-specific targets are proposed. The levels proposed are based on work for the Commission by the environmental consultancies, RDC and PIRA.

Secondary information