Press Release: European Commission proposes to amend Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste

The European Commission presented a proposal on 7 December 2001 to amend Directive (94/62/EC) on Packaging and Packaging Waste. The Directive aims to prevent or minimise the impact of packaging and packaging waste on the environment through recovery and recycling targets. The new targets are substantially higher than the 2001 targets of the current Directive and must be achieved in 2006. Given the differences in costs and benefits for recycling different materials, the proposal also contains specific targets for plastics, metals, paper/board and glass. The Commission hopes the specific targets will improve the overall level of environmental protection in the EU.