Packaging
- 5 October 2009: We are currently inviting applications for various positions on a new Advisory Committee on Packaging.
- 9 June 2009: New Packaging Strategy, Making the most of packaging,published. It outlines packaging policy's direction for the next decade. The Strategy's overall aim is to minimise the environmental impact of packaging, without compromising its ability to protect the product and also sets out plans to improve the recycling of packaging waste.
- April 2009: UK achieves EU directive targets
- February 2009: Business packaging recovery targets for 2009 to remain unchanged
In 2008 the UK disposed of an estimated 10.7 million tonnes of packaging waste, of which around 65 % (Source NPWD) was recovered. This is a significant achievement when compared to the fact that only 27% of packaging waste was recovered in 1998 (Source publication: e-Digest of Environmental Statistics, March 2006). However, more still needs to be done and Defra will continue working to:
- minimise the amount of packaging used and so the amount of packaging waste, and
- ensure that a high proportion of packaging materials are recovered and recycled
The management of packaging and packaging waste is enforced by EC directive 2004/12/EC which seeks to reduce the impact of packaging and packaging waste on the environment by introducing recovery and recycling targets for packaging waste and by encouraging minimisation and reuse.
Further information
See also
- WRAP’s Courtauld Commitment: striving for real reductions in packaging and food waste
- WRAP: working with manufacturers to minimise packaging
Page last modified: 13 October 2009
Page published: 5 February 2003