A Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) should not be the ‘only horse’ in the race to improve the recycling rate for drinks containers and to reduce litter, packaging body Incpen said today.
The organisation was responding to a recent Eunomia and Campaign for Protection of Rural England study which claimed councils would benefit from a DRS.
But, since the study both resource minister Therese Coffey and recycling officers group LARAC have queried the findings. Now, the packaging sector, through Incpen, has said that it supports the view of Dr Coffey.
Incpen has drawn comparison with a one-horse race in the way that a Deposit Return Scheme is being considered
Paul Vanston, chief executive of Incpen, said: “The Defra minister, Dr Thérèse Coffey, was right to question the extrapolation of financial data. Experience in councils’ recycling and waste services has repeatedly shown that the figures in one council can rarely be extrapolated with a high degree of certainty to the next-door council, let alone more widely.
“Whilst the effort by Eunomia colleagues to try and tackle the challenge is respected, the sheer levels of differences across councils mean figures are subject to high degrees of reasonable doubts. Such issues need to be explored objectively in governments’ Impacts Assessments on all the options.’
More options
Mr Vanston called for more options to be on the agenda, saying that “Potential reform of the PRN system, linked with funding for residents’ communications and better ‘on the go’ infrastructure, could all be on the agenda. Discussions on these lines are more likely to lead to solid outcomes for councils and the country that stand the test of time.”
And, he added that “According to Valpak calculations, 74% of plastic drinks bottles are already captured for recycling in the UK. That is a phenomenal achievement based on years of very hard work by councils, companies and citizens. The consequent questions are: ‘Could 74% be raised to 90%+ using existing infrastructure, and does that offer best value? What mechanisms could work well in drawing-in funds to support accelerated and long-term communications to residents? What new and enhanced ‘on the go’ infrastructure may be required and how is it paid for? How do all the options compare, pound for pound, in objective Impacts Assessments?’”
“According to Valpak calculations, 74% of plastic drinks bottles are already captured for recycling in the UK”
Paul Vanston
Incpen
Starting line
Commenting on the debate on deposit return schemes to date, Mr Vanston said, “As it’s outcomes that matter most, we must all be very careful to avoid a ‘one horse race’ in deliberations on options, whether that’s DRS or some other idea to the exclusion of others. Even an unfit horse can win a race if all other contenders are not brought to the starting line.
“Reform of the PRN system could be an excellent option to consider on helping the UK cross the winning line on a greener economy through higher recycling rates, reduced litter, and better ‘on the go’ infrastructure. This and other options need to be tested through detailed and objective Impacts Assessments, supported by the widest possible coalition of willing supply chain organisations working together towards common goals in the UK’s interests.”
Related links
Incpen
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Source: letsrecycle.com Packaging
