Giving more details about the study, which was announced earlier this week, Biroregional deputy director Sue Riddlestone said the study comes after WRAP's publication in March this year of its business plan, which included an ambitious target to see an additional 180,000 tonnes of graphics paper recycled and used annually by 2003/4.
“At BioRegional we knew from our experience working with the paper and waste industry and consumers through our local paper for London office paper recycling and buy-back scheme that this target would be tough to achieve. However, if you consider that 180,000 tonnes is only 5% of the 3.7 million tonnes of graphics paper that is currently landfilled or incinerated annually it seems modest – especially in the context of the Landfill Directive.”
Mr Riddlestone emphasised: ” We want to work with WRAP and the UK industry to help to achieve this target and we are carrying out a study to explore the best way to do it.”
BioRegional considers that if the target is to be met new de-inking capacity will be required and its initial research and the announcement of the closure of Inveresk's Kilbagie mill has confirmed the difficult economic conditions which face the industry today.
The study is in its early stages but and work is currently being done on policy instruments and measures to work out whether these could help ensure the profitability and long term sustainability of the recycled paper industry.
Business apathy
Ms Riddlestone added: “As industry insiders have commented, securing a market for UK produced recycled paper is key. A survey of London businesses which BioRegional carried out last year showed that 77% never buy recycled paper, and those that do often only use it for their external communications. Reasons cited included higher cost and poor quality, but the main reason is apathy.
“Whilst you can always buy cheaper paper somewhere our experience is that recycled paper is cost competitive and works in the photocopiers. These misconceptions need to be blasted out of people's minds. In this study, building on local paper for London, we are investigating ways in which we can strengthen the recycle and buy-back approach. This could be through incentives to recyclers who buy back or through Best Value or other policies and targets of local and national authorities.”
And, she invited readers of letsrecycle to comment on the marketplace. “I would invite
readers of letsrecycle.com who have any experience in this area to contact
us. By establishing the right way of securing markets for recycled paper we
can build a solid foundation for a sustainable industry.”
Sue Riddlestone can be contacted at: email
sr@bioregional.com
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