DEFRA releases results of packaging recycling investigation

The government has released details of its investigation into inaccuracies in data from the wood sector of the packaging waste recovery note system. The investigation was started in April 2003 by then environment minister Michael Meacher after the reported 2002 recycling figures revealed a huge jump from the wood waste recycled in 2001 (see letsrecycle.com story).

Mr Morley said that no particular reprocessor was being named following the investigation, and that the regulatory agencies would be taking “firm action” where weaknesses in the system have been identified.

The minister said: “We want to ensure that the UK's data is credible and that the PRN/PERN system and the UK's ability to meet Directive targets is not undermined. However, we believe we should now draw a line under 2002 activity. There are no implications for any producer's or scheme's compliance as a result of this adjustment to the figures.”

He added: “The Agencies are aware of where the weaknesses lie and I would now expect them to focus on the areas where weaknesses have been identified and to take firm action, where needed, to improve the current system now and in the future.”

Wood
As a result of the investigation, the provisional figures for wood packaging waste recycling for 2002 published on 16 May 2003 will be reduced by 76,400 tonnes.

Commenting on the results of the investigation, environment minister Elliot Morley said: “Some assumptions were made in 2002, for example about the tonnages of packaging waste in mixed loads, that were unrealistic or were made on the basis of insufficient evidence and it has been found that the amount of wood packaging waste recycling in 2002 has been overstated.”

The wood material organisation TIMCON has reviewed its estimates for the tonnages of wood flowing into the UK waste stream, and has provided new estimates for the years 2002-2008. Taking these new figures into account, together with the revised figure for 2002 wood packaging waste recycling, means that the recycling rate for wood is lower than initially reported, and the overall UK recovery and recycling figures are also affected.

Plastic

Mr. Morley noted also that allegations about inappropriate issue of PRNs and PERNs have been made in relation to plastic packaging waste recycling and said: “A fact finding mission has not yet been carried out in the plastic reprocessing sector, but it is clear that this work will have to be taken forward in that sector too based on the growth patterns in the last three years”.

The government has also adjusted the recycling figures for plastics with a provisional figure pending further investigations. This was, it said “in the interests of establishing more accurate and realistic figures for 2002 and for the purposes of the consultation on recovery and recycling targets in 2004-2008”.

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) and other plastics industry representatives, including the Packaging and Industrial Films Association (PIFA),have been involved in the discussions adjusting the figure, reducing the amount of plastics recycled by 64,600 tonnes.

The latest figures from the government are as follows:

* includes 35,241 tonnes of alternative evidence
# includes 25,000 tonnes of “other” packaging
** recycling of packaging wood waste actually increased from 573,951t (2001)
to 767,230t (2002), but because of the increase of wood packaging in the waste
stream, a decrease in the percentage recycled is shown.