Recycling? What recycling?
15 Jan 2000
Almost three-quarters of British managers have no idea that their companies will soon have to pay for the recycling of half of their packaging wastes. The legislation, prompted by the European Union's packaging directive, could come into force as early as July.
According to a survey carried out by Valpak, an industry-led organisation formed to coordinate the response to packaging legislation, some 70 per cent of senior managers are ignorant of the upcoming laws.
The legislation, which will compel companies to pay for the recycling or recovery of half of the packaging wastes it puts into circulation, should be submitted to parliament for final approval in the first weeks of February. Companies will then have to meet the EC goal of 50 per cent recovery and 25 per cent recycling by 2001.
According to Valpak, the legislation will cost small businesses some £2000-3000 per year, with larger companies facing a bill of up to £8million. Any company producing more than 50 tonnes of aluminium, glass, paper, plastic or steel packaging per year will be affected.
