Now a consultation is being carried out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on recycling and recovery targets from 2018 to 2020.
All those with an interest in the sector have until 6 January 2017 to respond. What seems clear now is that the responses will be focused on the levels of targets rather than more specific modifications to the PRN system as a whole – that is an agenda topic for a future point, potentially linked with the resolution of Brexit.
Numbers
While it may seem late to take in responses at the beginning of January for targets for 2018, with Defra unlikely to make decisions on targets for some months after, the responses will at least have the benefit of up-to-date numbers and research.
These numbers, in the form of PackFlow figures produced by Valpak, for glass and plastics have already seen some changes implemented.
Now that challenge remains for other sectors, notably aluminium, with its trade organisation already setting out its stall ahead of submitting its response to the consultation paper.
So, it appears that it is down to a matter of choice in terms of three figures proposed across material streams.
For Defra and the sector as a whole, there remains the challenge of ensuring reprocessors remain engaged. While this is not a new issue, it is something that the Department will have to take heed of in coming to a conclusion on what the targets should be.
To see the consultation documents: click here.
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