The glass packaging recycling target in the UK will be reduced to 75% this year - from 81%, Defra announced on 20th March. This target will then rise 1% per year up to 2016 when it will reach 77%. Until now, obligated businesses had to account for the recycling of 81% of the total glass packaging placed on the market until 2017, with 63% of this total recycled through remelt applications and 37% recycled through other means, such as aggregates. Defra has also opted to amend the split between remelt and aggregate from this year to 65% and 35% respectively. From 2015, the remelt target will then increase to 66%, and then again to 67% from 2016 onwards, with the aggregate target reducing by one percentage point over the next two years in line with this. According to Defra: "The targets reflect new and better evidence of both the total levels of glass packaging being placed on the market available for recycling, and the proportion available for remelt." The targets will apply retrospectively for the compliance year 2014, with Defra planning to bring the regulations into force in autumn 2014. In addition, the 2014 targets will be supported by an Environment Agency Regulatory Position Statement which will clarify that producers are expected to achieve the new targets. The Agency will not take enforcement action against producers that do not achieve the regulatory target of 81%. For more information, please visit: https://www.complydirect.com/news/defra-confirm-changes-to-packaging-reg...
