European Parliament Votes To Revise Packaging Directive

The European Parliament, voting at its plenary session Sept. 3, on revision of the directive on packaging and packaging Waste, accepted Commission proposals to increase recovery and recycling targets and introduce specific minimum recycling targets for different packaging materials.

MEPs approved an amendment to increase the minimum recycling target by weight for packaging materials contained in packaging waste from the 55 percent proposed by the Commission to 65 percent. However, they did not change the proposed goal of 60 percent for energy recovery, nor the Commission figures for recycling i.e. 20 percent for plastics, 50 percent for metals, 55 percent for paper and cardboard and 60 percent for glass.

Parliament believes the targets should be met by the end of 2006, but it accepted the Commission's proposal for a delay of 3 years until 30 June 2009 for Greece, Ireland and Portugal.

MEPs also tabled a large number of amendments with the intention of extending the scope of the revision to other issues such as prevention, reuse and producer responsibility.

The House did not adopt the Environment Committee's amendment calling for the amount of packaging waste generated to be cut by 10 percent compared with 1998 levels.

Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstroem welcomed the Parliament's vote on establishing increased recovery and recycling targets. However, she said the Commission would need more "analysis and consultation" before embarking on action towards new legislation in the extra amendments tabled by the MEPs.