Yesterday, letsrecycle.com revealed that Defra has said it is to stick with the current PRN packaging waste system for 2023 at least. This means a new system which would cover almost all local authority costs around recycling of household waste will not come into play until 2024 or later.
‘Disappointed’
Today (4 March) Steve Palfrey, chair of director’s organisation ADEPT’s Waste Group said: “ADEPT is very disappointed to learn that the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has been delayed by at least a year.
“Whilst the timescale was always ambitious, we had hoped that it would have been delivered in accordance with the programme that government had originally set out. This will mean that the public purse will continue to fund managing packaging waste for another year at a time when local authority budgets are already extremely stretched.”
Mr Palfrey went on to say that ADEPT hopes that the delay could mean a “first class” system was introduced.
He declared: “We hope that government will take this additional time working with all of its stakeholders to deliver a first class EPR packaging scheme that can then be used as a blueprint for other materials – one that adds value, reduces waste and maximises resource efficiency. Our planet cannot afford for this to be delayed any longer than absolutely necessary. We look forward to seeing the outcome of the consultations and will continue to work with government to help deliver a circular economy and thriving natural environment.”
ADEPT
ADEPT is the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) and represents ‘Directors of Place’ from county, unitary, metropolitan and combined authorities. Concerns about the delay have also been raised by Cathy Cooke, chair of local authority recycling officers group, LARAC (see letsrecycle.com story). Ms Cooke highlighted the procurement delays and difficulties that the EPR delay would bring.
Defra is remaining coy on revealing exactly when it will publish its proposals for the new system, but there is an expectation that there will be some sort of announcement later this month.
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