FPA urges Scottish government not to ‘waste’ packaging
The Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) has urged the Scottish Government not to “waste” packaging as a ban on certain items of single-use plastic is set to come into force.
Scotland’s single-use plastics ban is to become fully effective on 12 August after Defra minister Steve Double opted to exempt it from the Internal Market Act.
When the exemption comes into effect on 12 August, businesses left with stock will not be allowed to export banned items outside Scotland.
The FPA says that this means items such as plastic cutlery, plates, straws and beverage stirrers “can’t even be given to charities”.
Martin Kersh, the FPA’s executive director, said it was “hard to believe” that the Scottish Government wanted to see usable packaging “destroyed”.
He said: “We are particularly concerned that this rash action will set a precedent when it comes to other items targeted by the policy and call on the Scottish government to reconsider this wasteful action.”
Mr Kersh warned: “Because supply and demand vary, it is likely that banned items will be found in warehouses for some time to come.”
The FPA is the trade association for the foodservice packaging industry. Foodservice packaging includes products such as containers, bags and cups used to package prepared food and drinks.
Recoup calls for sector-wide plastics recycling advice
Plastics recycling charity Recoup has called on the waste industry to agree “the basic principles of plastics recycling advice” and support organisations and councils striving to deliver communications.
Recoup has been working in Kent with 680,000 households and all 13 of the county’s councils on plastics recycling and says this has shown citizens “want to do the right thing”.
It has also shown residents consider their local authority a “trusted source of information”, Recoup says.
Anne Hitch, Recoup’s head of citizen and stakeholder engagement, said a lack of accurate information on plastics recycling was holding back recycling rates as citizens continue to act “from an unsubstantiated knowledge base”.
Highlighting one example, she said: “Local authority websites can lead to confusion as the message for plastic bottles nationally continues to vary, with only 28% of UK authorities giving the correct advice on bottle preparation.
“Bottle tops do not get the opportunity to be recycled unless they are attached to the bottle, a fact which is often misunderstood or miscommunicated.”
Recoup has produced a best practice guide for plastics recycling communications guide aimed at improving “core citizen messaging” (see letsrecycle.com story).
Wandsworth allows residents to ‘dump your junk for free’
Wandsworth borough council will allow residents to “dump your junk for free” at a ‘Mega Skip Day’ on Saturday (30 July).
The council, which has run similar schemes in the past, says Mega Skip Day will be a monthly fixture.
Saturday will see ‘mega skips’ in situ in five locations around the borough. Wandsworth usually charges for bulky waste collections, but residents will be able to take six items per household along to the mega skip nearest to them for free.
Residents can dispose of waste including household items such as mattresses and sofas and some electrical equipment.
Cllr Judi Gasser, Wandsworth’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “We will hold monthly Mega Skip Days because we know residents find this service useful.
“It also helps reduce fly-tipping because there’s no excuse to just dump things on the street.”
‘Innovative’ reuse shop opens at Rhyl HWRC
An “innovative” charitable re-use shop developed by a partnership of Bryson Recycling, Denbighshire county council and St David’s Hospice has officially opened its doors to the public.
The shop, which is located at a household waste recycling centre (HWRC) in Rhyl and open seven days a week, aims to extend the life of reusable household items while generating profits for charity.
Northern Irish waste management company Bryson says the shop opened thanks to support from the Welsh Government’s Circular Economy Fund.
Speaking at the official opening event on 21 July, Cllr Pete Prendergast, vice chair of Denbighshire county council, said: “Having a re-use shop is a great way to change the way that people think about unwanted items.
“Every year many items that are perfectly reusable are taken to our recycling centres as waste, but these items could actually be used by someone else.
“By repurposing these items, people are not only raising funds for a local charity but are also reducing waste to landfill and helping to increase our recycling rate.”
In 2021, Denbighshire and Conwy county borough council awarded Bryson a contract to manage five HWRCs in Rhyl, Ruthin, Denbigh, Abergele and Mochdre (see letsrecycle.com story).
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