On 27 May 2003 the European Commission adopted a communication towards a thematic strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste. The communication follows a mandate given by the 6th Environmental Action Programme to develop seven thematic strategies for priority areas of environmental policy.

The communication includes an assessment of community waste policy in relation to prevention and recycling, with a view to identifying means to further develop waste management policy in line with the hierarchy of objectives set out in the Community's waste strategy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Incinerate, Landfill). It focuses on the means to promote more sustainable waste management, by minimising the environmental impacts of waste while also taking into account economic and social considerations.

With regards to the prevention of waste, the Communication aims at developing a comprehensive strategy which includes prevention targets and measures needed to achieve them. The Communication investigates ways to promote recycling where potential exists for additional environmental benefits and analyses options to achieve recycling objectives in the most cost-effective way possible. The key areas of the communication of most interest to Valpak members are: waste prevention; material specific recovery; market mechanisms and pay as you throw incentives for consumers.

The Commission is now undertaking an Extended Impact Assessment to estimate the likely costs of the proposals. This is due to conclude by the end of 2004 and the Commission is expected to issue proposals towards implementing the Thematic Strategy in the first half of 2005.

Valpak has extensive experience in the operation of the UK system of packaging waste and in working within a competitive market based system for compliance. This system has been widely recognised to deliver the objectives of the legislation at a significantly lower cost to alternative systems in operation around Europe.