Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC)

The Directive aims to increase the amount of packaging waste that is recycled or incinerated at energy recovery facilities. These facilities extract and use the energy which is released when the packaging is burned.

The Directive covers all packaging placed on the market in the community and all packaging waste, whether it is used or released at industrial, commercial, office, shop, service, household or any other level, regardless of the material used. The latest amendment to the Directive (2004/12/EC) establishes criteria clarifying the definition of the term "packaging". Sweet boxes and film wrapping around a CD case are regarded as packaging, whereas toolboxes, teabags, wax layers around cheese, sausage skins and flower pots 'intended to stay with the plant throughout its life' are not.

Directive 94/62/EC states that the Member States shall take measures to prevent the formation of packaging waste, which may include national programmes and may encourage the reuse of packaging. The member states must introduce systems for the return and/or collection of used packaging to attain the following targets:

At present between 50 and 65 % by weight of packaging waste should be recovered or incinerated at waste incineration plants with energy recovery;
No later than 31 December 2008, 60 % as a minimum by weight of packaging waste will be recovered or incinerated at waste incineration plants with energy recovery;
No later than 31 December 2008 between 55 and 80 % by weight of packaging waste will be recycled;
No later than 31 December 2008 the following recycling targets for materials contained in packaging waste must be attained: 60 % by weight for glass, 60 % by weight for paper and board, 50 % by weight for metals, 22.5 % by weight for plastics and 15 % by weight for wood;