The plastic recycling targets for 2013 have changed following an agreement made by MPs in parliament at the end of November.

Higher targets for recycling plastic, aluminium and steel packaging will commence from January 2013.

In Parliament, MP for Rugby Mark Pawsey voiced concerns raised to him by the British Plastics Federation (BPF) and the Plastics and Film Association (PAFA), which claimed that the plastics industry’s apprehension over the likelihood of the targets being met was ignored by Defra.

The MP conceded that it was too late for the targets to be amended with just over a month before the new regulations are due to take effect, but he urged Defra to consider carrying out an early review of progress toward that target, adding that it was the ‘best hope of the industry’.