The Recycling Association has countered calls for a ban on exports of plastic packaging for recycling saying that export markets are vital for the sector.
The comments come in response to a call from a number of politicians through the Policy Connect organisation for a “target of net zero exports of recyclable plastic packaging by 2030 at the latest” (see letsrecycle.com story).
Exports are essential, reasons Simon Ellin of the Recycling Association
Warning that this could have an adverse reaction on UK recycling, Recycling Association chief executive, Simon Ellin said: “There are many legitimate companies that are successfully and sustainably exporting recyclable plastic packaging to destinations in Europe and Asia primarily.
“More often that not, they are sending material back to the point of manufacture to be made into the same or a new product, and this is part of the global circular economy. Plastics are a valuable commodity and we have to ensure that they are recycled where it is most economically and environmentally sustainable to do so.”
Mr Ellin pointed out that it is now “very difficult to export plastics to Asian countries” and that it those still receiving material have strict rules abd inspection regimes to prevent ‘waste’ from entering their countries.
He continued: “Those countries that still import material recognise the economic benefits recycling brings and want the material for their manufacturing industries. Nobody wants to buy waste, but they want to buy a secondary commodity they can use.
Quality
“What we need to do is ensure that packaging manufacturers and retailers put easily recyclable packaging on the market. Local authorities then need to ensure that their collection and sorting system are designed to avoid contaminating the material. That way we create a valuable product that will be in demand from the export market, as well as giving British plastics recyclers a better quality material too.”
With Environment Secretary Michael Gove backing more recycling infrastructure in the UK, Mr Ellin confirmed that he was also in favour of this and that he hoped the Resources and Waste strategy would enable that to happen. But, he warned that the UK should not take the risk of “removing competition from export markets. We do not want a situation where plastic packaging can only be recycled in the UK and that then makes plastic recycling more expensive.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Plastic
