Mr Potocnik’s revised target – for Member States to reuse or recycle 70% of municipal waste by 2030 – has been lauded by the UK waste and recycling industry as a welcome step in the right direction.
But despite this, scepticism was still rife at the European Environment Council meeting – with Defra’s Dan Rogerson among ministers calling the ambitious policy into question.
“Firstly, let’s give us enough time to allow the market to adapt to current targets”, Mr Rogerson implored, unconvinced that the targets were practicable from a costs perspective.
Mr Rogerson’s reaction is to be expected; with the public mood souring and UKIP on the rise, the coalition government is keen to reassess its relationship with the EU – and this isn’t just evident in the UK. As Mr Potocnik tweeted earlier today, ‘ministers have changed a lot in five years’.
But whether his policies are adopted or not, Mr Potocnik can at least leave the European stage with his head held high –if understandably a little frustrated. All eyes will now be on his Maltese successor Karmenu Vella; will he pick up the mantle or pave his own way for recycling in Brussels?
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