The official quarterly data has been released by the Environment Agency and gives an indication of how much packaging waste has been recycled or exported between January and March 2016.
The statistics, published in an interim report on the National Packaging Waste Database, are not to be confused with the limited monthly reported data for January to April – which remains voluntary for reprocessors to submit to.
According to the quarterly data, a combined 343,850 tonnes of glass remelt and aggregate was recycled in the first quarter of 2016 – or just 22% of the estimated annual net requirement of 1,512,119 tonnes.
The relatively low glass figure comes despite a glass packaging recycling target increase this year of 1%. The quarterly data could indicate that a number of reprocessors are yet to submit their tonnages – with the final, rather than interim, figures not announced until May.
There has been an immediate reaction on the PRN market according to trading marketplace The Environment Exchange, which claims the glass remelt price has today strengthened to £13.50 per tonne, and glass aggregate to around £11 per tonne.
Other materials such as steel and plastics have fared better this quarter after a bumpy 2015.
Around 245,958 tonnes of plastics packaging has so far been recycled in Q1, or just over 26% of the annual 917,853 tonne requirement.
And, despite uncertainty surrounding the steel industry, the amount of steel packaging recycling recorded this quarter stands at 94,101 tonnes – or 27% of its annual target. Aluminium, which came under pressure during the first half of 2015, appears also to be on target.
EfW
Elsewhere, energy from waste PRNs look set to enjoy a less turbulent year with 160,411 tonnes, 30%, of the packaging requirement recovered in Q1. This shows a considerable increase in accreditation for the compliance year, after just 21,250 tonnes were recovered in the first quarter of 2015 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Commenting on the figures, Matthew Manning, sales manager at compliance scheme ecosurety, said: “Market perception and expectation of future performance are very important within the PRN market. These figures show sustained high prices drive more recycling and in turn the market self corrects.
“For the majority, the good Q1 performance should lead to prices easing over the year however we will be keeping a close eye on glass which posted below par figures.”
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