The figures, which were released late on Tuesday (see letsrecycle.com story), showed how much packaging waste was reprocessed in the first two quarters of 2004.
The new data slightly alters the outlook on packaging waste recovery for the whole of this year, particularly in plastics, and suggests a much smaller carry-over into next year than was expected after quarter one data for 2004 was released in May (see letsrecycle.com story) .
This week's new data amended the quarter one data released by Defra in May after an error was found in some data submitted by a plastics reprocessor. This error was thought to have meant about 18,000 tonnes of extra reprocessing published in the quarter one figure did not take place.
Welcoming Defra's regular production of data as particularly important for the packaging waste recovery note (PRN) market, the compliance schemes said attention has to be given to making sure errors do not occur.
Biffpack's Phil Conran said: “These latest figures highlight the need for a much improved system of data management as the market gets tighter and the targets get more challenging. The drop in plastics recycling for quarter one from what was issued in May demonstrates the critical nature of these errors and the difficulties in planning against uncertainty.”
Valpak also highlighted the reduction in plastics reprocessing, saying: “We note the reduced figure for plastics reprocessing, which may have resulted from the investigation into plastics fraud.”
But the scheme's contracts director, Brian Wood, said: “We are aware that a number of reprocessors have yet to become accredited so we may see an increase in the reprocessing figures in quarter three and quarter four.”
Difficult
Mr Conran said the new figures suggested that some obligated parties are going to find it “extremely difficult” to comply with this year's plastic recovery targets. He warned that “the environmental agencies need to ensure that they maintain a vigilant approach to both the production of PRNs and potential claims of 'reasonable steps' to ensure the system is not undermined, emphasising the need for a more timely and accurate system of data reporting.”
Overall, Biffpack said that a rise in the key “volume” materials apart from wood would suggest that this year's recovery targets would be met. However, he warned that the increase in packaging waste recovery was not high enough to meet next year's targets.
“The introduction of reprocessor fees will further reduce the number of accredited reprocessors, and whilst the wider use of bottom ash glass PRNs will help glass significantly, there is now a need for much greater strategic investment, especially in the collection infrastructure,” Mr Conran said, adding that it would be “dangerous” to assume that local authority targets will “produce the goods”.
Investment
Valpak, the largest compliance scheme in the UK, said the new figures indicated that “compliance in 2004 is achievable”. But, the scheme also raised concerns about long-term investment in recycling infrastructure.
Mr Wood said: “Significant growth is needed in order to ensure that the UK as a whole continues to comply. The market may find that there is not enough material in the waste stream to meet obligations, and we need to invest to ensure that collection and recycling infrastructure grows to meet this demand.”
The Valpak contracts director said that with the supply of PRNs tightening, compliance schemes and obligated companies needed to make sure they have long-term contracts with reprocessors in place. Mr Wood said the Environment Agency recommended long-term contracts with reprocessors, and said Valpak had a number of such contracts in place to ensure “a commitment to investment in the recycling infrastructure.”
Concerns about insufficient investment in the packaging waste infrastructure were also raised earlier this month by Geoff Hill of the paper recovery body PaperChain (see letsrecycle.com story) .
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