§ Mr. CameronTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to ensure that the EU packaging waste directive is fully(a) implemented and (b) complied with and that it is done so in a way that helps consumers return packaging to suppliers. [64308]
§ Mr. MeacherThe current EC directive on packaging and packaging waste is fully implemented by the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 (as amended) and the Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 1998. A revision to the directive has been proposed. When this is finalised it is expected that it will be fully implemented in the UK through amendments to the existing regulations. Compliance with these regulations is monitored by the Environment Agencies. The new directive is expected to include higher targets for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. As targets increase it will be necessary to recover more packaging material from the household waste stream, and we would therefore expect businesses and local authorities to work together closely to ensure that adequate household collection systems are set up.