An exemption which currently allows millions of plastic pallets and crates across Europe to be recycled rather then sent for disposal looks set to be extended.
In the past, some heavy metals were used in the manufacture of plastic pallets and crates
The Packaging article 21 committee - which provides technical advice to the European Commission on the packaging directive - last week (Dec 10) gave its approval to a new draft derogation to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive which provides that pallets and crates containing heavy metals such as lead and cadmium should be able to be recycled beyond March 2009, when the current derogation ends.
The draft derogation will now go for scrutiny by the European Council and Parliament, before being published in the Official Journal of the European Union, when it will become law.
The development is expected to be welcomed by recycling firms and wider industry, with beverage manufacturers warning in February 2008 that, if the derogation was not ended, it would lead to the destruction of at least half a million crates - even though it claimed recycling them posed "no risk" to the environment.
The meeting in Brussels noted that the Commission would like to see the derogation removed, to reduce the use of potentially harmful heavy metals, and said there was not sufficient evidence for an extension of the derogation for a set period.
However, most Member States were in favour of prolongation and the Commission said it understood the consequences of vast numbers of crates being disposed of if it was not granted.
An independent report, commissioned to look into the issue, also recommended the derogation be extended "for a limited period" while industry phased out the use of heavy metals.
The committee said: "The Commission's draft decision proposed a new derogation, with the option for a review after five years to consider progress on reduction in heavy metal levels. With regular reporting, if it were decided to have a review, the Commission would then have comparative data to decide next steps."
Notes
The EU's position on heavy metals in crates and pallets following the Article 21 meeting will now be published in revised government guidance notes at the end of this week for the Packaging Essential Requirements Regulations.
This will also include information on the new packaging design system recently published by Envirowise, INCPEN and BSI. A further update will be issued in 2009 once the Commission decision on heavy metals in published and the UK regulations have been amended accordingly
Collapse
At the article 21 meeting on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, members also discussed the "collapse" in the market for recovered paper, plastic and metals and possible solutions to the situation.
One member state revealed they were taking short-term measures, making new storage options available and laws for local authorities to counter illegal dumping. They were also looking at the long-term impacts and possibilities of a national database to promote movement of materials.
The UK reported that it had taken similar steps to aid storage and maintain consumer confidence in recycling, but beyond this noted that "the issue was in its infancy and favoured waiting to see how the situation developed".
The Commission endorsed the UK view and informed the Committee that it would be drafting a discussion paper for the Environment Council in March.
It also agreed to forward a template to member states to complete which could be used to develop a database of recovery facilities at an EU level.
