Environment

The European Parliament has given its seal of approval to the Waste Framework Directive, which sets out Europe's future targets and methods for dealing with waste.

Environmental Service Association chief executive Dirk Hazell praised the "forensic brilliance" of MEP Caroline Jackson, the rapporteur behind the directive.

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

"The package secured by Dr Jackson will make Europe more economically and environmentally sustainable and marks real progress in building Europe's Recycling Society," said Hazell.