Defra reviews packaging recycling targets for aluminium and other materials

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is consulting on new business packaging recycling targets for paper, wood, aluminium and steel for 2018-20. The department has published three options with each option indicating different degrees of ambition.

According to option 1, no increase in targets from the current 2017 targets through to 2020.

Option 2 suggests the greatest rise, considering UK’s ambition to be on track to achieve the CE package recycling targets for 2025 of 65% overall. Aluminium’s targets the maximum for the three years with 57%, 59% and 61% rise.


Option 3 proposes lower target increases for all materials, apart from aluminium. Defra says that this option is “optimal” based on its cost-benefit analysis.

Defra says:  “Together this causes net social benefits and impacts on benefits to diverge under Option 2. Under Option 3, which has a high target for aluminium, the net social benefit and benefits to businesses move together.”

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“The diversion of aluminium away from landfill leads to a sizeable carbon benefit, while for business the high material price for aluminium leads to high material revenues.”

Defra however maintained their stand that they have not zeroed on any particular option.

“The UK Government’s overarching aim is to have appropriate targets which ensure that the UK complies with the EU Packaging Directive targets whilst maximising the benefits for consumers, businesses and the environment,” it says.

The department is seeking views from respondents on the options stating the most desirable one and with supporting points  and the consultation would be running until 6 January 2017.