Call for recyclables exporters to form trade association

The company claimed that decisions are being taken “behind closed doors” concerning issues involved directly in the export of recyclable waste, “without consulting us”.

” Wrong decisions could drive us out of business, yet we are not even close to getting our legitimate views aired in the right circles. “
– Bruce Terrell, Atlantic Paper
As a result, Bruce Terrell of London-based Atlantic Paper has called for the formulation of a multi-commodity “Recyclables Exporters' Association” in order to “share knowledge, experience and develop a common voice”.

Mr Terrell said although exporters have something of a voice within associations like the Confederation of Paper Industries, exporters can only be “associate members” of such organisations, they did not have full representation.

Clash
“There are times when our interests inevitably clash with those of the domestic industry and we should no longer allow the cracks to be painted over,” he said.

Mr Terrell told letsrecycle.com he would be contacting accredited exporters “in due course” to discuss the idea further, and was interested in hearing their views.

Atlantic Paper has raised the issue of a lack of representation for exporters in the past, and earlier this year Mr Terrell put such concerns to Defra regarding the application of exporters for accreditation under the PERN system (see letsrecycle.com story).

Decisions
The issue of exports is currently being examined on a number of threads, including the quality standards required to meet European transfrontier shipment rules (see letsrecycle.com story) and also the reliance of the UK on exports to meet European packaging recovery targets (see letsrecycle.com story).

Mr Terrell also believes exporters need to stand up to those within the packaging recovery system that would like to see export-PRNs (PERNs) devalued compared to their domestic counterparts, packaging waste recovery notes (PRNs).

“These issues are vital to us exporters, and wrong decisions could drive us out of business, yet we are not even close to getting our legitimate views aired in the right circles,” he warned.