WRITTEN QUESTION E-1769/99 by Jan Andersson (PSE) to the Commission. Introduction of a common EU-wide bottle recycling system.
Date: 1999-10-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: deposit on a polluting product, domestic waste, environmental policy, glass, waste recycling

20.6.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 170 E/97

The Commission is carrying out a thorough examination of the problem and will keep the Honourable
Member informed of its conclusions.

The Commission regrets the delay in replying to the letter referred to by the Honourable Member. The
body in question has recently received a letter on this subject.

(2000/C 170 E/112)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1769/99

by Jan Andersson (PSE) to the Commission

(11 October 1999)

Subject: Introduction of a common EU-wide bottle recycling system

Drinks packaging currently contributes to the serious waste management problems faced by the majority
of Member States. Certain countries have introduced systems for recycling bottles but in some cases find it
difficult to collect sufficient quantities to make such systems economical. One possible solution might be
to introduce a common, EU-wide system, which would help to ensure that bottles are collected in
sufficient quantities and alleviate the growing problem posed by large volumes of household waste.

Is the Commission planning to introduce a common EU-wide system for recycling glass bottles?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(17 November 1999)

The encouragement of reuse systems of packaging in the Member States is one of the measures foreseen
by Parliament and Council Directive 94/0062/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging
waste (1) in order to prevent or reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste provided that the
packaging can be reused in an environmentally sound manner in conformity with the Treaty.

Several Member States have established reuse systems or reinforced their traditional old systems, such as
Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Austria, Finland, and Sweden. Currently, reuse rates of up to 90 %
have been achieved for beverages packaging in some of these Member States.

However, the setting up of a European system for reuse is a rather complex issue where several aspects
(standardisation, transport distances) play a role. This makes it difficult to harmonise the existing reuse
systems, which have been historically developed along different lines. Moreover, the need to ensure a high
level of environmental protection needs to be combined with internal market rules.

The Commission will however take advantage of the revision process of the Directive 94/0062/EC, which
should start before the end of this year, to further improve the reuse systems of packaging in the Member
States.

(1) OJ L 365, 31.12.1994.

(2000/C 170 E/113)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1772/99

by Herbert B(cid:246)sch (PSE) to the Commission

(11 October 1999)

Subject: Proceedings pending before ECJ concerning Austrian drinks tax (C-437/97)

A drinks tax is levied throughout Austria on all drinks,
in the form of a local tax. EU Commission
representatives had always confirmed that the Austrian drinks tax complied with the requirements of EU