WRAP to offer new advice service on falling prices

Four weeks after prices for recyclables started to fall dramatically, the service will allow local authorities to post specific questions to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) relating to material prices and the economic downturn, to which WRAP will respond with answers which will be visible to other users and will be accompanied by an updated market portal.

In particular, the forum will help to disperse information which WRAP's economists have been compiling in discussions with the recycling industry and local authorities relating to price movements and supply and demand.

The announcement came as WRAP insisted that despite weaker markets for some products – such as mixed plastics – there were currently “markets for most materials” – and urged recycling efforts to continue.

Liz Goodwin, WRAP chief executive, said: “In these uncertain markets with low demand for some recycled products, the message to householders is clear: there are markets for most materials and we should continue to recycle. Of course, it is important to check locally which materials can be recycled in your area.”

“Many local authorities have told us that they are continuing to find markets for recovered materials, particularly high quality materials such as plastic bottles and glass. The vast majority of materials that are being put out for recycling are still being recycled. Let us be clear, material that is not put out for recycling will definitely end up in landfill, which has the worst possible environmental consequences”, she added.