The European Union has formally adopted amendments to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive tightening industry packaging recycling targets.
Carried by a qualified majority – which Austria and the Netherlands voted against – the amendments increase the overall target for recycling of packaging waste by EU countries from 25% to 55% for 2008, as agreed in conciliation between the European Parliament and Council last month.
As well as changes to the packaging waste recovery targets agreed by member states in 2001, the amendments also clarify definitions in the Directive including what is to be included as “packaging” under producer responsibility obligations.
The adoption of the amendments brings to an end a period of some uncertainty in the packaging and recycling sectors, which saw the government delaying expected domestic target increases in 2003 with a resulting collapse of the packaging waste recovery note (PRN) market.
For more on the PRN system and the full 2008 European packaging waste recovery targets, click here for the letsrecycle.com legislation section.
Increased demand sees expansion at recycling container manufacturer
Market growth has allowed recycling and waste container manufacturer Egbert H Taylor and Co Ltd to expand, with the appointment of two new area sales managers.
 Pictured left to right: Lee Agus and Lawrence Hodgson |
The Worcestershire-based company has appointed Lee Agus and Lawrence Hodgson to help meet the increased demand and maintain support for existing customers.
Lawrence Hodgson takes on the area manager role for the North East of England, while Lee Agus joins the company to manage the Home Counties areas outside the M25. Julian Gaylor, who previously managed the Home Counties areas is now concentrating on business inside the M25.
Alston Taylor, director of Taylor, commented, “Lee and Lawrence are filling two key roles at Taylor. Demand continues to be strong in our market, and their addition allows us to maintain support for existing customers while addressing new business opportunities.”
South Gloucestershire begins green waste collections
South Gloucestershire council and its waste contractor, SITA UK, have introduced a new kerbside collection service for green waste and cardboard.
Green wheeled bins were given to 12,700 households to go alongside their existing green recycling box for newspapers, cans and glass. The first collections for the new “Sort It” service was on Monday (27/01/04), and the service will continue with general refuse collected in black wheeled bins on alternate weeks to the recycling collections.
Once collected, the mixture of green waste and cardboard is taken to local farms, where it is shredded and composted in windrows before being used to condition agricultural land.
Since August 2000, South Gloucestershire has increased its recycling rates from 6% to 24%, and is now pushing for a 40% target by 2005/6.
Cllr Shirley Potts commented: “These new Sort It services will be a major step in meeting our long term commitment to helping improve the environment and meet our ambitious recycling targets.”
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