Corus hails UK recycling success for steel packaging

And, the company said it is changing the way it is to invest revenue from producer responsibility, to target “big win” projects to increase the recycling of steel.

Corus said the achievement was “good news” to packaging producers in the UK, who must pay reprocessors for evidence of meeting their share of the Defra recycling targets each year.

The company said not only had the 2005 target been met, but the 50% level required to meet the EU Packaging Directive in 2008 had also been reached.

PRNs
Nevertheless, there are question marks in the compliance sector over why such high prices were being charged for steel packaging waste recovery notes (PRNs) – the evidence documentation of steel recovery – last year considering that the target was ultimately met.

Prices that producers pay reprocessors for steel PRNs are based on how much reprocessing is being carried out compared to the amount needed to reach UK targets. Last year saw steel PRNs sold for as much as 200 per tonne – largely because of fears that the target would not be met.

Corus said yesterday that the new figures give a positive indication that the target set by Defra for 2008 – 54% – was achievable.

John May, manager at Corus Steel Packaging Recycling, said: “2005 was certainly a year of tremendous progress for steel packaging recycling throughout the UK. Defra’s report showed that 352,358 tonnes of steel packaging were recycled in 2005, which is 34,000 tonnes more than in 2004.

“The increase in steel packaging recycling we saw in 2005 was made possible by the partnerships we have developed with local authorities, waste management companies, community recycling groups and our packaging chain customers,” Mr May added.

Strategy
Corus also announced a change in the way it will be investing revenue from the sale of PRNs. Since 1998, the company has been investing to increase the collection of steel cans for recycling through a regional network of collection programmes. Under that system, 142 projects have gained support for the collection of cans, Corus said.

With 90% of local authorities now collecting steel cans through kerbside recycling services, Corus has decided to switch its PRN investment strategy to a more centralized, national level.

Basing its Corus Steel Packaging Recycling team at the Corus Packaging Plus plant at Trostre in South Wales from May 17, the company will focus on “big win” projects.

In particular, this would be for individual, larger scale recycling projects with greatest potential yield in terms of tonnage of steel cans collected. This is likely to include work with metropolitan authorities and local authorities which have low recycling rates and, therefore, offer the potential to recover large volumes of steel packaging, Corus said.

Mr May explained: “This move will enable closer co-ordination of projects and focus PRN spend on the &#39b;ig win' projects. These developments are part of ongoing progress, and reflect the success to date, and a recognition of what’s required in the next step of steel’s progress.”