People from the community disposing the recyclable waste in the bring banks

Europe set for 50% recycling target

18 June 2008

Recycling targets of 50% for household waste look set to become law across Europe - with significant implications for the UK.

The European Committee of permanent representatives accepted wide-ranging revisions to the Waste Framework Directive put foward by the European Parliament which also include a recycling target of 70% for construction and demolition waste.

The revisions - including the 50% target - have widespread implications for councils in the UK, which are currently recycling 33% of household waste overall. It is likely to provide a strong driver for the UK to keep up its recycling efforts.

Policies under the directive revisions also encourage waste prevention and separate bio-waste collections which will give more emphasis to food waste treatment and composting, and encourage products to be designed in an eco-friendly way.

Source: Lets Recycle