The reaction comes in the wake of reports that material from materials recycling facilities has been stopped by regulators in the UK and on the Continent from being sent overseas to countries such as China. (see letsrecycle.com story)
In a strongly worded statement, the Independent Waste Paper Processors Association (IWPPA) expressed “deep concern” over the possibility that some “commercial organisations are exporting unsorted co-mingled waste, also referred to as dry mixed recyclables, using the standard recovered paper grade classifications.”
”Abuse of the Recovered Paper Grade Standard (EN643) in this way may unjustly cast doubt on the validity of legitimate exports “
– IWPPA
The IWPPA said: “Grades of recovered paper are defined by European Standard EN643 with tolerance levels for impurities (out-throws) determined internationally by industry trade and practice established over the last 50 years. The level of plastic and metal content in ‘co-mingled’ waste considerably exceeds the tolerance levels permitted in any EN643 recovered paper grade.”
Misleading
The Association went on to say that it “rejects fully any inaccurate and misleading use of legitimate recovered paper grade classifications to disguise the improper export of co-mingled waste. Abuse of the Recovered Paper Grade Standard (EN643) in this way may unjustly cast doubt on the validity of legitimate exports causing damage to the UK’s recovery and recycling targets for paper and packaging waste.”
Confederation
A statement from the Confederation of Paper Industries, which has an active recovered paper division, has also voiced worries about the current situation.
In a statement, the confederation said: “The CPI notes with concern the debate around mixed material being exported as recovered paper. We have contacted Defra and the Regulators and received assurances that this issue will not impact on the legitimate export of recovered paper from the UK. Exports are a key market for recovered paper merchants with the UK collection outstripping UK market demand.”
The statement added: “This is a result of contraction of the UK paper industry and the growth in recovered paper collection, especially from the household stream. The CPI feels that the debate will continue and the main issue is a lack of clear definitions of recyclates, collection and sorting processes on a European scale. The CPI has offered to work with Defra and the Regulators on this issue and will engage with stakeholders where necessary.”
Abitibi
Alongside the industry viewpoints, Abitibi Consolidate Recycling Europe – previously Cheshire Recycling – has explained to local authorities that its operations do not involve any commingled exports.
Responding to the letter sent by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to local authorities about the matter, Abitibi said: “The collection methods that we employ, whether from kerbside or bring schemes, are all designed to comply with EN643, which has been adopted by Standards bodies throughout European and endorsed by the Euoprean paper industry.”
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The company added that its material is source segregated and other materials, such as cans, are also separated at the kerbside vehicle.
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