Calls to remove regulatory barriers and raise awareness of remanufacturing have been welcomed by MPs, following the publication of a report by the All-Party Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group (APSRG).
Remanufacturing towards a resource efficient economy, which was officially launched at Portcullis House in London this morning (March 26), warns that the UK is failing to capitalise on the economic and environmental advantages presented by the remanufacturing sector.
The report estimates that the sector is currently worth over 2 billion, with the potential to increase to 5.6 billion alongside the creation of between 200,000 and 300,000 skilled jobs.
But, it goes on to suggest that there is no universally accepted definition of remanufacturing the process of restoring an end-of-life component or product to like-new performance – which is often confused with reuse and recycling.
The report calls on government to amend its guidance on the legal definition of waste in order to distinguish a product that is due to be remanufactured as being exempt from those products that are currently considered as waste ensuring they do not fall within the remit of waste regulations.
It highlights the End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive as an example where the benefits of remanufacturing have been obscured. At present, no credit is offered to vehicle manufacturers to incentivise remanufacture, which makes other options such as recycling more attractive.
Certification
It also recommends the adoption of a certified mark for remanufacturing to address buying standards and demonstrate products have been tested and fully comply with buying standards of a new product – similar to the tick mark logo imposed on FSC approved timber and forestry products.
The report concludes that small and medium-sized enterprises cannot rely solely on a leap of faith approach to remanufacture, and better education is needed through the creation of a new Centre of Excellence for UK Remanufacturing.
Publication of the report follows a three-month inquiry chaired by former environment secretary Caroline Spelman, who urged government not to let the UK fall behind the rapidly expanding global remanufacturing industry.
Speaking at the launch today, the Conservative MP for Meriden said: One of our first challenges with the public is getting them to understand what remanufacturing is, and we can do this by getting a clearer definition from government. It is going to be difficult to compete at a global level and tackling some of the barriers that remanufacturing is hindered by is needed.
Remanufacturing is a concept that works right across the spectrum, from small companies to large companies. It needs to be taught in schools as an example of the circular economy, as the next generation is already more passionate about sustainability.
2020 Conservatives
Also speaking at the launch, Laura Sandys, chair of the 2020 Conservatives’ productivity and efficiency group, called the cross-party approval of the measures a political love-in.
However, Ms Sandys, who is Conservative MP for South Thanet, stirred some controversy by reiterating her belief that the waste brief should be moved from Defra to the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills as outlined in the Conservative 2020s Sweating our Assets report published last month (see letsrecycle.com story).
Ms Sandys went on to comment that the government should be looking at imposing landfill bans, and modernise its old-fashioned ideas on waste.
Her thoughts were echoed by Viridor communications manager Martin Grey, who also spoke about how larger companies were willing to embrace remanufacturing and encourage more strategic alliances at the launch.
He said: Viridor is investing 1.9 billion into the resource and renewable energy sector. There is a lack of understanding around what is recycling and what is remanufacturing. That’s why a ‘recycled and remanufacturerd content’ certified mark may help.
“Our sector is on an exciting journey, and the first phase of that journey is moving from a waste management sector to a resource management sector. Phase two is our alignment of resource management and reprocessing capacity, and the third phase focuses on strategic alliances with manufacturers and remanufacturers.
‘Well-meaning’
We would agree with Laura’s point on waste as a resource and finding the best home for that in government. We would support the move to BIS and the 2020 notion that waste is an opportunity, not a liability. We caution against unintended consequences of intervention, with a good example being the Jekyll and Hyde position on RDF export whilst importing biomass.”
Responding to the views raised, Ms Spelman said she refused to comment on changing the machinery of government.
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