UK paper collections top European average

Key Statistics, from the Brussels-based CEPI, show that in 2006 the UK collected 65.2% of the unconverted paper and board products that were consumed in the domestic market – up by 3% from 2005.

The European average was 63.6% with top European performance coming from Germany, which collected 74.7% of their waste paper.

However, the UK's Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) pointed out today that the figures do not include some paper grades involved in finished goods, which are taken into account at a European level.

And, CPI's recovered paper sector manager Peter Seggie suggested that the UK was far behind other European countries in how much paper it recycled itself, putting it in a vulnerable position because of the need to export recovered material.

Commenting on the figures, he said: “These figures confirm the continued development of recovered paper collection in the UK and are encouraging, but they need to be taken in context.

“The UK is in rather a unique position in Europe with regard to it increasing collection of recovered paper, but in reality, the UK continues to have one of the lowest domestic recycling rates in Europe,” he added

Statistics

According to the CEPI statistics, the UK recovered 65.2% of paper in 2006, compared with 62.1% in 2005.

However, CPI claims that these do not take into account “already converted” paper and board products such as printed books, magazines and cards or packaging around finished goods, such as corrugated boxed around imported goods.

If added, the CPI estimates that an extra 1.5 million tonnes of material would have been available for collection in 2006, meaning the UK's collection rate would drop to 57.8%.

And, whereas European member states overall recycled within their own countries to an average level of 88% of the material collected, the UK only recycled 52% which Mr Seggie predicted was set to fall further through 2007.

He said: “Because of the improving collection rate, 2006 saw the UK export just under 50% of the material collected, however exports have overtaken domestic usage throughout 2007. This position is sustainable as long as there are expanding overseas markets (as currently being experienced with China), but the increasing collection rates of European partners mean they will become strong competitors in the future.”

“Should any issued arise with overseas demand, the UK will be the first to suffer because of our low domestic reprocessing level,” he added.