WRAP points to big future role for export markets

The idea of exporting our recyclable materials back into centres of production in the Far East and in some cases in Europe makes sense

 
Vic Cocker, WRAP

WRAP chairman Vic Cocker, explaining current and future work by the organisation on exports, said yesterday that: “The export markets for recyclables are going to be critical for the delivery of the waste strategy. But, we have to use materials efficiently in terms of the environment and the economy.”

Speaking at a conference in London on exports, he highlighted the fact that two thirds of plastics, one fifth of glass and more than half of recovered paper is being exported.

“It is important for WRAP to understand the economics and environmental issues and how to reconciles conflicts of interest in these areas while promoting awareness of compliance with controls,” he said.

Strategy

Mr Cocker emphasised that exports will become more important than ever in the future because of impacts of the waste strategy, with material recycling rates scheduled to double by 2020.

He said: “This implies eight million tonnes of extra recycled material, of which five million are going to be potentially exportable. It wouldn't makes sense to have some sort of closed economic solution – the idea of exporting our recyclable materials back into centres of production in the Far East and in some cases in Europe makes sense.

“In terms of the legitimacy of exports, the big issues are – does the carbon impact of transporting outweigh the carbon benefit of landfill? Our work so far has said that transport won't tip the balance but we still have to do life cycle analysis work on long distance shipments. Also we need to look at pollution, health and safety, and ask are the materials being reprocessed in working conditions that are acceptable and are they undermining the work of UK reprocessors?” said the WRAP chairman.

Some questions have been asked about whether or not WRAP should be involving itself in export markets. The Environmental Services Association has asked whether WRAP will really add value, and pointed to the role of its MRF audit scheme, the Recycling Registration Service.

The paper industry campaign group PaperChain has voiced concerns that the exports centre could give the impression that exports may be given precedence over the domestic industry.