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Indicator Assessment
There is a general increase in per capita quantities of packaging being put on the market. This is not in line with the primary objective of the Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste, which aims at preventing the production of packaging waste.
However, the EU target to recycle 25% of packaging waste in 2001 has been significantly exceeded. In 2002 the recycling rate in EU15 was 54 percent.
Packaging waste generation per capita and by country
Note: N/A
DG Environment and the World Bank
Generation of packaging waste and GDP in the EU-15
Note: N/A
DG Environment and Eurostat
Only the UK, Denmark and Austria have reduced their per capita generation of packaging waste since 1997; in the remaining countries, the quantities have increased. However the 1997 data are less certain than those
for later years, due to first-year problems of newly established data collection systems, which in turn may influence the apparent trends.
Between 1997 and 2002 the growth in packaging waste generation in the EU-15 almost followed the growth in GDP: generation increased by 10 % and GDP by 12.6 %.
There are large variations between Member States in the use of packaging per capita, ranging from 87 kg/capita in Finland to 217 kg/capita in Ireland
(2002). The average 2002 figure for the EU-15 was 172 kg/capita. This variation can be partly explained by the fact that Member States have differing
definitions of packaging and understanding of which types of packaging waste need to be reported to DG Environment. This illustrates the need to harmonise the methodology for reporting data in accordance with the directive on packaging and packaging waste.
Recycling of packaging waste by country, 2002
Note: N/A
DG Environment
Packaging waste generation per capita and by country
Note: N/A
DG Environment and the World Bank
Targets of the packaging and packaging waste directive
Note: N/A
Data provenance info is missing.
Treatment of packaging waste
Note: N/A
DG Environment
The target of 25 % recycling of all packaging materials in 2001 was achieved by a good margin in virtually all countries. Seven Member States already comply with the overall recycling target for 2008, when not taking the 'new' material, wood, into account. The total EU-15 recycling rate increased from 45 % in 1997 to 54 % in 2002.
As with consumption of packaging per capita, the total recycling rate in Member States in 2002 varied greatly, from 33 % in Greece to 74 % in Germany.
To achieve these targets, several Member States have introduced producer responsibility and established packaging recycling companies. Other countries have improved their existing collection and recycling system.
Total packaging used in EU Member States in kg per capita.
Recycling of packaging waste as a share of packaging used in EU Member States. The amount of packaging used is expected to equal the amount of packaging waste generated because of its short lifetime.
kg per capita, percentage
This strategy sets out guidelines for European Union (EU) action and describes the ways in which waste management can be improved.
This Directive establishes a legal framework for the treatment of waste within the Community. It aims at protecting the environment and human health through the prevention of the harmful effects of waste generation and waste management.
Table 1: Targets of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive
| By weight | Targets in 94/62/EC | targets in 2004/12/EC |
|---|---|---|
|
Overall recovery target |
min. 50 %, max. 65 % |
min. 60 % |
|
Overall recycling target |
min. 25 %, max. 45 % |
min. 55 %, max.80 % |
|
Year to achieve targets |
30 June 2001 |
31 December 2008 |
Note: Greece, Ireland, Portugal and the New Member States have individual derogations to meet the new targets. Depending on country, the targets will have to be reached 3 to 7 years later.
Source: Official Journal L 365 , 31/12/1994 P. 0010 - 0023 and Official Journal L 047 , 18/02/2004 P. 0026 - 0032
The graph of quantities of packaging waste generated is derived by dividing the amount of packaging used in the country by the country's population for the year in question.
Formula:
(Total packaging waste generation (kg) / Population) = Packaging waste generation per capita
The graph of recycling of packaging waste is derived by dividing the quantity of packaging waste recycled by the total quantity of packaging waste generated and expressing it as a percentage.
Formula:
(Recycling of packaging waste in tonnes (year x)) * 100 /
Total packaging waste generation in tonnes (year x)
= Recycling rate for packaging waste (%)
No data gap filling is required
No methodology references available.
The Commission Decision of 3 February 1997 establishes the formats, which Member States are to use in the annual reporting on the Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste. However, the decision does not define methods to estimate the quantities of packaging put on the market or to calculate the recovery and recycling rates in more detail to ensure data comparability.
Due to the absence of harmonised methodology, national data on packaging waste are not always comparable. Some countries include all packaging waste in the figure on total packaging waste generation while other countries only include the total for the four obligatory packaging waste streams; glass, metal, plastic, wood and paper and board.
No uncertainty has been specified
For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/generation-and-recycling-of-packaging-waste/generation-and-recycling-of-packaging or scan the QR code.
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