Kerbside questions for paper after collection slow-down

In a round table meeting with local authorities and Defra, chaired by the Waste and Resources Action Programme, Peter Seggie, the CPI recovered paper manager, warned of a “massive slow down” in the growth rate of waste paper collection. And, at the meeting held last month, he cautioned that recovery levels of newspapers and magazines had fallen compared to previous years with overall increases in waste paper collections happening at a much smaller rate.

”This confirms a massive slow down in the growth of collection of what would be regarded as typical domestic waste paper streams.“
Peter Seggie – CPI recovered paper sector manager
Mr Seggie said that in the first eight months of 2006, CPI figures showed that of an 111,000 tonne increase in collection of all recovered paper, 82,000 tonnes was attributable to increased collection of paper packaging waste, primarily cardboard.

He explained: “This means there is potentially an increased collection of below 29,000 tonnes of other paper and board products compared to the same period in 2005. Of the 545,000 tonne increase in 2005 to August, 107,000 tonnes was attributable to increased collection of paper packaging waste in 2005 to June according to Defra
figures.

“This means there was an increased collection of 438,000 tonnes of other paper and board products compared to the same period in 2004.”

Slow down

Mr Seggie warned: “This confirms a massive slow down in the growth of collection of what would be regarded as typical domestic waste paper streams, news and pams, in 2006 to date.”

The recovered paper sector told the meeting that the cost of collecting further tonnage from the household waste stream would start to increase. He noted: “It was always known that costs would rise as more used paper was recovered but this slow down has been dramatic. This raises questions regarding investment and if new tonnage is being reached?”

Exports

The importance of export markets for recovered paper because of the continuing number of mill closures in the UK was emphasised by Mr Seggie. And, he heralded the CPI's Export Code of Practice which would help on the quality issue related to transfrontier shipments.

The meeting heard that the new EU Shipment of Waste Regulations will come
into force in the UK in July 2007 and make further demands on
EU exporters of green list waste including reprocessing standards
and material traceability.

Mr Seggie forecast demands for higher quality from overseas users and said that “with the huge dependency on exports the UK must lead on the quality issue.” He added that the introduction of BSI PAS 105 on quality standards would help users retain value in their product.