Paragraph 3 Requirements specific to the recoverable nature of packaging
United Kingdom
Packaging recoverable in the form of material recycling
Packaging must be manufactured in such a way as to enable the recycling of a certain percentage by weight of the materials used into the manufacture of marketable products, in compliance with current standards in F1the European Union F2assimilated law. The establishment of this percentage may vary, depending on the type of material of which the packaging is composed.
Packaging recoverable in the form of energy recovery
Packaging waste processed for the purpose of energy recovery must have a minimum inferior calorific value to allow optimisation of energy recovery.
Packaging recoverable in the form of composting
Packaging waste processed for the purpose of composting must be of such a biodegradable nature that it should not hinder the separate collection and the composting process or activity into which it is introduced.
Biodegradable packaging
Biodegradable packaging waste must be of such a nature that it is capable of undergoing physical, chemical, thermal or biological decomposition such that most of the finished compost ultimately decomposes into carbon dioxide, biomass and water.
Oxo-degradable plastic packaging is not to be considered as biodegradable.
In sub-paragraph (5), “oxo-degradable plastic packaging” means plastic packaging made of plastic materials that include additives which catalyse the fragmentation of the plastic material into micro-fragments.
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Words in Sch. 1 para. 3(1) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Waste (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/188), regs. 1(2)(b), 20(8)(b) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1540, regs. 1(2), 11(2)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
- F2
Word in Sch. 1 para. 3(1) substituted (27.2.2025) by The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/82), reg. 1(2), Sch. 15 para. 35(b)
- F3
Sch. 1 para. 3(5)(6) inserted (1.10.2020) by The Waste (Circular Economy) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/904), regs. 1(1), 19(3)(b)
Notes on Schedule 1
Textual amendments
- F1
Words in Sch. 1 heading omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Waste (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/188), regs. 1(2)(b), 20(8)(a) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1540, regs. 1(2), 11(2)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)