The new data has been made available on the National Packaging Waste Database, but has been approved by Defra and is shortly to be added to Defra's own website.
New reprocessing figures for the second quarter of 2006 come along with updated figures for quarter one. The Database notes that two large wood reprocessors are still to report their quarter one data to the appropriate Agency.
Generally, the figures are close to industry expectations, although reprocessing levels appear higher than last year's PackFlow report estimated (see letsrecycle.com story).
They suggest generally that packaging recovery and recycling targets should be reached this year. But, the figures are unlikely to rescue low prices currently seen in the packaging waste recovery note (PRN) market.
Materials: Q2
The second quarter figures show a slight increase – a fraction under 1% – in the amount of paper packaging waste being recycled compared to the first three months of 2006. A three percent rise in wood packaging reprocessing is also recorded compared to quarter one, 2006.
Otherwise, the quarter two figures show slight decreases in packaging materials being recycled including 6% falls in glass and steel reprocessing levels and 1% falls in aluminium and plastic reprocessing.
The new data is as follows (more detailed data available at the National Packaging Waste Database):
| Quarter 1, 2006 | Quarter 2, 2006 | Total change from Q1 (%) | |||||
| UK reprocessing (t) | Exports (t) | Total (t) | UK reprocessing (t) | Exports (t) | Total (t) | ||
| Paper | 367,937 | 337,145 | 704,878 | 378,753 | 332,198 | 710,951 | +0.8 |
| Glass | 288,636 | 67,002 | 355,943 | 271,594 | 61,057 | 332,651 | -6.5 |
| Aluminium | 8,865 | 2,958 | 11,823 | 8,608 | 3,105 | 11,713 | -0.9 |
| Steel | 44,944 | 64,329 | 109,273 | 45,697 | 56,793 | 102,490 | -6.2 |
| Plastic | 43,412 | 75,123 | 118,535 | 37,300 | 79,797 | 117,097 | -1.2 |
| Wood | 205,219 | 549,557 | 205,423 | 211,595 | 0 | 211,595 | +3.0 |
| Recycling | 959,013 | 546,557 | 1,505,570 | 953,547 | 532,950 | 1,486,497 | -1.3 |
| EfW | 121,281 | 0 | 121,281 | 118,949 | 0 | 118,949 | -1.9 |
| Recovery | 1,080,294 | 546,557 | 1,626,851 | 1,072,496 | 532,950 | 1,625,446 | -0.1 |
Updated Q1
The updated reprocessing figures for quarter one show a very slight (0.07%) downgrading of reported overall recycling levels from the document of May 17.
Among the materials, the most significant change is in the downgrading of aluminium reprocessing levels by nearly 9%. This has largely come in a change to reported export figures from 4,276 tonnes to 2,958 tonnes. Wood reprocessing levels have also been downgraded from those reported in May, by 4%.
Other materials have been slightly upgraded, including a 4.4% upgrade for steel reprocessing figures and a 1% upgrade for plastics reprocessing levels. Upgrades in reported reprocessing levels for paper and glass are under 1%. Recovery levels remain as reported in May.
Database
The Packaging Federation, which is managing the National Packaging Waste Database on behalf of Defra, said the results for quarter two showed that the online system is now “being widely adopted as the preferred and easiest route to supply the necessary data”.
However, those behind the system have acknowledged there is more work to do before the 100% submission target for quarter three reprocessor returns is reached.
Lorraine Lockhart, director of software developers Solution 7 said: “All the feed-back to date has demonstrated that the system is user-friendly, but like all new IT systems there are areas which require explanation and help.”
A series of road-shows is being planned with the Environment Agencies to help all reprocessors and exporters to use the system. A National Packaging Waste Database helpline is also available on 08708 505801 or by emailing support@npwd.org.uk.
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A producer module, allowing producers and compliance schemes to file their obligation data, is scheduled to be operational in time for 2007 returns to be submitted to the Agencies early next year.
Ian Dent, chief executive of the Packaging Federation, said: “As we all know, without robust data being available we are often chasing shadows, and with a laissez-faire financial mechanism like PRNs to underpin the system, the access to up-to-date information is vital for effective and cost-efficient functionality.”
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