When the government and DEFRA announced the new recycling targets over 18 months ago, as an industry we wholeheartedly championed this ambitious vision and together, have been working towards developing a market place and environment that delivers. However, some inthe industryare not yet convincedby the recent MRF code of practice consultation because the regulations are not as robust as had been hoped. For example, we would like to see more frequent sampling, larger sampling sizes and unannounced audits by the Environment Agency.
Leadership
However, the MRF code of practice is really only one part of the restructure required to take advantage of the huge opportunity for the recycling industry. At Closed Loop Recycling, we have always maintained that our industry is perfectly poised to lead the way in Europe and the world in terms of recycling, and by supporting ambitious targets we can create much needed green jobs and growth which is critical in the ongoing economic climate.
We also need industry leadership to take on all aspects of regulatory review right across the recycling loop. Not just the MRF code of practice, but equally important issues such as PRN and PERN, greater enforcement of TFS regulations, and so on, to create industry-wide solutions.
Blockages in the loop need to be identified, starting with consumers and at the kerbside, then following the chain from MRFs to reprocessors – in the UK and abroad – through to packaging companies and brand owners, then back to consumers again. Only in doing this can appropriate solutions be provided which will enable our growing industry, with adequate supplies of good quality feed stock, to develop further and thrive on a world-wide scale.
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