Tom Giddings said the organisation has “wholeheartedly supported” the government’s plans for building a “world-leading recycling system”, and added “it’s therefore hugely important to consider every angle and ask potentially difficult questions”.
Earlier this week (5 October), Ms Churchill took part in ‘Closing the loop? The future of UK recycling’ – a fringe meeting held by Conservative Party group Bright Blue at the party’s annual conference in Manchester.
Ms Churchill batted away concerns over a deposit return scheme raised by Alupro and British Glass (see letsrecycle.com story).
The two associations have been vocal critics of a flat fee saying, among other things, it will increase plastic use as multipack cans will be charged individually.
She said that in terms of reaching higher recycling, “if everyone is just going to get… grumpy that their particular area hasn’t had the profile, we’re not going to get there.”
We are committed to contributing to a system that delivers positive environmental outcomes –Tom Giddings, Alupro
‘Opportunity’
Responding to the minister’s comments, Mr Giddings thanked Churchill for her openness “regarding the important views raised by the recycling industry”.
He explained that the organisation is committed to contributing to a system that delivers positive environmental outcomes and playing a leading role in the sector’s transition towards net zero.
“Legislation has a pivotal part to play in working toward the goal of net zero and getting it right from the outset must be a key priority. It’s therefore hugely important to consider every angle and ask potentially difficult questions – this is the only way to collaboratively create a recycling system that is truly world-leading,” the Alupro general manager said.
He added: “I’d like to thank the minister for her openness regarding the important views raised by the recycling industry. We are committed to contributing to a system that delivers positive environmental outcomes and playing a leading role in the sector’s transition towards net zero.”
Collaborative
Mr Giddings explained that the fringe meeting provided a “fascinating opportunity to hear the minister’s thoughts on embracing a circular economy and plans for building a world-leading recycling system”.
This is a message “wholeheartedly supported” by the organisation, which Mr Giddings said has “publicly thrown our support behind the legislative reforms that the government is undertaking”.
He said striving to achieve a 100% recycling rate for aluminium packaging “plays an important role” in the government’s aims.
“This said, creating a completely sustainable packaging supply chain is a much larger issue and one that we can’t tackle alone – we need a collaborative and collegiate effort from all parties involved, from design through to reprocessing”.
Subscribe for free