In praise of packaging targets

At Closed Loop Recycling we wholeheartedly support the governments preferred option of a plastics recycling target of 57% by 2017 as we believe it is achievable, good for the environment, gives investors confidence and will ensure the current excess MRF sorting capacity will get closer to being fully utilised. I also note from recent statements that our view is shared by progressive recycler Eco Plastics and major brands such as Coca Cola Enterprises.

The British Retail Consortium, whose members represent a massive market for recycled content, has also announced that it is supporting these ambitious packaging recycling targets, as they support the development and investment in improvements to UK recycling infrastructure, which will provide further security of supply of recycled material to their members. The BRC specifically says that steadily increasing targets over time provides long-term certainty to business, facilitating investment.

Of course, hand-in-hand with the increase in recycling targets it is essential that we see reform of the current producer responsibility system (PRN and PERN), which disproportionately incentivises the export of materials and green jobs to overseas markets. This is to the detriment of the UK recycling and reprocessing industry as well as a massive opportunity lost. A sensible review of the relative values of the PRN and PERN is needed in order to address the unintended consequences of the flaw in the PRN formula.

Export

We believe waste exports should remain an option but we are merely asking for a level playing field by reviewing the existing system which currently favours export of materials rather than domestic recycling. If this was supported with frequent and stringent inspections to ensure compliance with the Trans Frontier Shipment regulations, input materials would be of a higher quality and more readily available. If this material stayed in the UK, it would reduce our imports of virgin raw materials and would create sorting and reprocessing jobs in UK. You’d think that this would have universal appeal – lower unemployment and improved balance of payments.

The 2011 Government Waste Review set the direction of travel for packaging policy and therefore the future of the whole industry. We are looking to Defras current consultation on recycling targets to do the same. By focusing on this ambitious mandatory target, we are effectively unlocking a resource which could be as important to the UK as a North Sea oil well.

Hundreds of millions of pounds has been invested in our recycling industry – which is now said to be worth 23bn – by tax payers and private institutions, in order that we can be ready for the next wave of recycling growth.

The DEFRA consultation presents an exciting opportunity for our industry to work together to create a leading edge position to divert further materials from landfill, creating thousands of green jobs and establishing the UK as one of the leading sustainable packaging producers in the world. However, as our sector represents a valuable manufacturing sector set for growth, there should be also be cross party and cross industry support in order to maintain stability for the future.

I have written to a number of MPs in the different parties to call for a coherent strategy at national and local government levels so any changes can be driven throughout the recycling chain.