Environment

The EU Environment Council's decision to "apply flexibly" the five-step waste hierarchy has been welcomed by the Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association (MPMA).

Last week, the Council approved the revision of the Waste Framework Directive, but the hierarchy had been a point of dispute between the European Commission and Parliament, which called for flexible and strict application, respectively.

"We're pleased that the interpretation of the hierarchy as a guiding principle has been maintained," said MPMA director Tony Woods.

At the top of the five-point list is the prevention of waste production, through methods such as packaging reduction, while landfill should be the last resort.

Between the two come, in strict order, the reuse of products, the recycling of material, and energy recovery, for example through incineration.

Woods said that although the hierarchy had "long been accepted", there were concerns that the preference for "reuse" over "recycle" hindered attempts to improve the country's recycling rates.

"We believe there's no scientific evidence that reuse should appear higher [on the list] than recycle," he said.

The Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (Incpen) also supported the flexible application of the hierarchy, but said it should be seen as a "rule for handling waste" and not as guidelines for the initial packaging selection.

Furthermore, Incpen director Jane Bickerstaffe said it was "disappointing" not to hear more about getting the "maximum amount of energy back from waste".

The Waste Framework Directive is an overarching umbrella law covering all aspects of waste policy, including legislation on packaging and packaging waste.