ABSTRACT
The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive requires recovery of a minimum of 50 per cent, but not more than 65 per cent, of packaging waste by 2001, through recycling, energy recovery or biological treatment. Procter & Gamble supports the twin objectives of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive regarding a high level of environmental protection and the functioning of the internal market. Current European Union (EU) waste policy tends to maximise recycling, whereas the aim should be to minimise the environmental burdens associated with packaging at a reasonable cost. A sustainable waste management system will have to achieve a balance between environmental effectiveness, economical efficiency and social acceptability. Segregated waste systems lose the benefits of economies of scale, and synergy between different treatment options, so tend to be less efficient, both economically and environmentally. The future formulation of packaging waste policy should be based on the criteria of sustainable development.
