The compliance scheme said in doing so, it had overcome “challenging increases” in the recycling targets set by government for aluminium, steel and plastic packaging waste.
– Steve Gough, Valpak
Valpak chief executive Steve Gough revealed that the Stratford-based company had succeeded in its obligations under UK producer responsibility thanks largely to partnerships and long-term arrangements with reprocessors.
Mr Gough said: “We are particularly pleased to have reached this position as a result the partnerships and long term contracts we have with reprocessors. These are proving to provide our members with the benefits of both security and competitive costs over a period of time.”
However, Mr Gough cast some doubt over the availability of packaging waste recovery notes – PRNs, the evidence used to show packaging producer responsibility has been carried out – in the plastics sector.
He said: “It must be noted that, despite challenging increases over 2004 levels after the investigation into plastic, the material specific targets for plastic recovery in 2005 were met more easily than some expected. Valpak looks forward to continued policing and monitoring by the relevant Agencies to ensure that any questions surrounding the issuing of plastic PRNs are dealt with promptly and effectively, helping to avoid PRN price volatility and properly achieving 2008 targets.
“Vigilance is also required to ensure that existing systems are not abused,” Mr Gough added.
Targets
Valpak works to ensure that over 3,000 companies that deal with significant quantities of packaging comply with their legal obligation to pay for their share of UK packaging waste recovery, under Europe's Packaging Directive.
As with other compliance schemes working in the UK, Valpak has the next major European recovery targets, set for 2008, in its sights. The scheme has launched a major programme of support for local authorities to increase the amount of packaging waste collected from the household waste stream (see letsrecycle.com story).
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Mr Gough suggested there could be a need for more co-operation between compliance schemes in order to meet the European targets.
He said: “What we need in 2006 is a concerted, united effort to ensure that good intentions are followed up with positive action and investment. Whilst competition between schemes for members is expected to remain fierce, there may be opportunities for co-operation in projects that increase the supply of PRNs to help meet the collective challenge of higher targets in the future.”
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