DS Smith says it operates seven recycling facilities in the UK, including sites in Batley, Bolton, Caerphilly, Uxbridge and Willenhall near Birmingham. The consultation will not impact the company’s paper making operations at Kemsley.
DS Smith is at the centre of the UK cardboard recycling market as it supplies major users of cardboard packaging, including online giant Amazon.
We have undertaken a strategic review of our UK Recycling operations
- DS Smith
‘Review’
A spokesperson for the company told letsrecycle.com: “At DS Smith we are always evaluating our operations to ensure that they are delivering the best value for our customers. As part of this process, we have undertaken a strategic review of our UK Recycling operations and can confirm we have entered a period of consultation at six of our sites.
“We are currently working with our employees, customers and wider stakeholders regarding any potential impacts of this consultation and will not be commenting further while the consultation is underway.”
Recycling
To make cardboard at its Kemsley plant, DS Smith sources material through the facilities from both domestic and commercial sources. The domestic waste stream is now becoming more important as a source of feedstock, especially with the closure of some retail sectors and competition from overseas buyers.
The closure of any sites would come as a major blow to local authorities who send material to them, particularly with the consistent collections consultation anticipated next week which could mandate the separate collection of the material.
Subscribe for free