Archived press release

Packaging recycling targets are a missed opportunity

26 October 2010

Commenting on new packaging recycling targets for 2011 and 2012 published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs today (Tuesday 26 October 2010), Friends of the Earth's senior resource use campaigner Dr Michael Warhurst said:

"These new targets are a missed opportunity to create thousands of new green jobs in recycling and they won't do enough to cut waste.

"The Government has missed the chance to drive forward innovation in plastic packaging design - higher targets would have forced companies to recycle more.

"Recycling saves cash, cuts emissions and protects natural resources, so we should be recycling as much of our waste as possible instead of burying it and sending it up in smoke.

"Caroline Spelman says the Government is aiming for a zero waste economy, going further and faster than Labour on recycling - but today's announcement implies the Coalition is all talk and no action."

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. More information is available about today's announcement from the Defra website.
2. Friends of the Earth's recent report 'More jobs, less waste' showed that more than 50,000 new jobs could be created nationwide if the UK set more ambitious recycling targets.
3. Research by Friends of the Earth in 2009 revealed that the UK buries and burns at least £650 million of recyclable materials every year.
4.  The Government is currently reviewing England's waste policy. Friends of the Earth's submission to the Call for Evidence is available for download.
5. The Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) Regulations were introduced as a result of the EU Packaging Directive. They make it mandatory for businesses which handle packaging, such as producers of packaging, packers, wholesalers and retailers, to contribute a percentage of the material they handle towards the cost of eventual recovery. In this way, producers take responsibility for the waste they create. 61.8% of packaging was recycling in 2009 under the producer responsibility obligations (packaging waste) regulations 2007. Friends of the Earth's response to the 'Consultation on Implementing the Packaging Strategy' is available for download.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust