Recycling minister Rebecca Pow has reiterated that drinks cartons are unlikely to be included within the remit of Defra’s proposed deposit return scheme (DRS).
Her comments came in response to a written Parliamentary questions from Conservative MP for High Wycombe, Steve Baker.
He asked George Eustice, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his department has made of the implications for its policies of studies and trials undertaken in other countries which examine the feasibility of including carton packages in Deposit Return Schemes.
Cartons look unlikely to be within the remit of a DRS scheme
Responding, Mrs Pow said that the Government is committed to introducing a “world leading” Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers. “We expect the introduction of a DRS to deter littering of in-scope containers; increase recycling of in-scope containers; provide higher quality recyclate for reprocessors; and influence consumer behaviours with potential knock-on effects to other environmental activities.”
She explained: “We have now consulted twice on introducing a DRS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and are analysing the responses to the second consultation, including those on scope and materials, with a view to publishing a government response later this year. An impact assessment for the introduction of the scheme will also be published alongside the Government response.”
Kerbside
In developing proposals, the government have considered the inclusion of cartons in the scheme, said the minister. “However, the recent consultation proposed that cartons would not be captured by DRS and instead could be collected through kerbside collections. Cartons could be included in the core list of materials to be collected in the dry recyclable waste streams, and producers could pay for disposal of the packaging through the reformed packaging producer responsibility regime.”
Mrs Pow said that Defra continues to assess the implications of which materials are included and excluded from the DRS, including any possible confusion this could cause. “This includes drawing on evidence and findings from international DRS schemes to inform the final design and scope of a DRS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
And, she added that no specific assessment has been made by the Government on material substitution but it is something which would continue to considered in finalising the DRS scope.
‘Success’
Earlier this year, the UK branch of the European Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment, spoke of the success of the industry’s recycling programme.
Richard Hands, CEO of ACE UK said: “ACE UK has been successfully running the industry’s recycling programme for the last 15 years, driving significant increases in carton recycling as part of its role as the UK’s food and drink carton industry trade body. We have worked closely with local authorities and waste management companies so that today 93% of local authorities collect food and drink cartons for recycling through either bring banks or kerbside collection.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Packaging
