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Packaging Federation chief executive Dick Searle has welcomed new business targets for the recovery and recycling of packaging set by the government yesterday (11 October).

However, he argued that increased targets are meaningless unless the infrastructure for the sorting and collection of plastics is improved.

"While I cannot quarrel too much with increasing targets – and for glass, aluminium and steel, it's a no-brainer in a sense – increased recycling and recovery of plastics will depend on a better infrastructure," he said.

Recycling targets have been increased by 0.2% to 55.7% in 2008, with the rate accelerating to 56.8% in 2009 and 58.4% in 2010.

Recovery targets will rise by 0.6% to 60.6% in 2008 and 61.8% and 63.4% in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Searle criticised environment minister Joan Ruddock for suggesting that cutting packaging waste would reduce our reliance on landfill and higher targets would help design out unnecessary packaging in the future.

"It shows how little the government understands about the complete lifecycle of a product," he said. "It's important to remember that packaging exists to protect and preserve it."

The new targets, which apply to businesses that handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging a year and with an annual turnover of more than £2m, will come into effect in January 2008.

In addition to the environmental benefits of cutting carbon dioxide emissions and reducing reliance on landfill, the proposals will save around £1.1m.