In 2012, as part of the Budget, new packaging targets for 2013 to 2017 were announced. The targets apply to businesses under the
Producer Responsibility Regulations and have been set to ensure the UK continues to meet the EU Directive targets over the next five years. The UK has been comfortably ahead of the mandatory EU plastic packaging recycling target (22.5%) for quite a while and in 2014 the UK entered year 2 of the new Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) targets for packaging recycling.
This has set out a 5% yearly growth in plastic packaging recycling targets, increasing to 57% by 2017. This will require approximately 1.2 million tonnes (42% of plastic packaging arising) to be recycled by 2017.
UK plastic packaging recycling targets 2013-2017
- 2012: 32%
- 2013: 37%
- 2014: 42%
- 2015: 47%
- 2016: 52%
- 2017: 57%
In 2011 the UK disposed of an estimated 10.8 million tonnes of packaging waste, of which around 67% was recovered, so the future looks promising in terms of hitting the EU Directive targets for 2017. The 2011 statistics show that plastic recovery and recycling rate is above the EU target, reaching 24.2%. This can only mean great things for the plastic industry as more companies are opting for plastic packaging and once used, is being recycled.
At Coda Plastics we understand the importance of recycling and by not doing so, results in a lot of plastics ending up in landfill. Any waste plastics we have, we recycle, as well as receiving other manufacturer's waste and re-using it for other things. Plastic waste is a great resource and can be used to make more products or even supply energy.
If your company is looking at plastic packaging as an option for a product, please contact us on 01692 501020 and our team will be more than happy to help.
