Europe set for waste vote

The directive, which would oblige the UK and other EU countries to stop waste increasing beyond its present level, has twice been passed by the European Parliament only to be blocked by the countries’ governments.

However, the rapporteur behind the directive MEP Caroline Jackson helped secure a deal which postponed the setting of any waste targets until 2014, and set targets for recycling half of the glass, paper, metal and plastic thrown out by households, and 70% of construction waste by 2020.

The UK’s waste and recycling industry has urged MEPs to support Jackson’s deal.

Environmental Services Association chief executive Dirk Hazell said: “Dr Caroline Jackson has secured the governments’ agreement to a broad package including recycling targets.

“The package will make Europe more economically and environmentally sustainable,” he added.

See packagingnews.co.uk for the result of the vote.

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