With news on the Environment Agency and the PRN system; Stora Enso’s paper packaging for chocolates; A European plastics guide; and the Packflow reports to be updated.
£6m for charities in packaging ‘contributions’
The Environment Agency has issued a reminder to firms using packaging of their obligation to comply with the rules of the UK’s packaging waste PRN system.
And, it has revealed that £6 million has been raised in ‘donations’ which have gone to environmental charities, rather than being paid into the PRN system.
During 2019, the Environment Agency said it carried out compliance monitoring of 288 people involved in packaging production – well above the agency’s annual target of 170 – and subsequently suspended 18 accredited companies for breaking the rules. Two firms lost their accreditations and 21 enforcement undertakings were agreed, resulting in financial ‘contributions’ totalling £520,087 being made to environmental projects.
Malcolm Lythgo, head of waste regulation at the Environment Agency, said: “Our investigation work in 2019 showed that while most firms abide by the rules and contribute to recovery and recycling of packaging waste, there are still operators out there who flout the law.”
Provisional figures indicate that in 2019 the reported UK packaging recovery rate was 73.76%, of which 68.42% was reported as being recycled. These recovery and recycling rates exceeded the European Union Directive targets of 60% recovery and 55% recycling.
Innovative chocolate packaging launched by Stora Enso
Finnish paper firm Stora Enso has announced the launch of an innovative low carbon paperboard for chocolate packaging.
The company said that as chocolate producers and brand owners look to lower their environmental impact, Stora Enso’s new plastic-free, light-weight board designed for premium packaging helps customers decrease their carbon footprint and meet the needs of consumers looking for eco-friendly products.
A new paper packaging for chocolates has been devised by Stora Enso
Called Performa Light, the paper packaging is described as a renewable and recyclable board for premium folding cartons typically used in packaging of chocolate and confectionery, as well as beauty products.
Performa Light is said to allow for 70% reduction of CO2 emissions in production compared to competition due to fossil-free energy production and a patented fiber treatment technology, FiberLight Tec,, to save energy and raw material. The board has a very low weight and an improved strength due to microfibrillated cellulose in the structure, resulting in less waste and lower CO2 emissions in transport.
“Consumers increasingly choose brands who enable them to lead eco-friendly lives. By offering a low carbon product for chocolate packaging, we can help confectionery brands meet this demand by making a difference in the battle against climate change”, says Öystein Aksnes, VP, Liquid Packaging and Carton Board at Stora Enso.
EuRIC releases circular plastics guide
The European Recycling Industries Confederation, EuRIC, has issued a document detailing the importance “of moving towards a circular economy for plastics in Europe.”
It identifies the most commonly used types of plastics and describes the current state-of-play, challenges faced by the European mechanical plastics recycling industry alongside with key recommendations to overcome them. Plastics recycling’s environmental benefits and economic importance is also touched upon.
The report highlights the need to ensure a circular economy approach is taken for plastics
Paul Mayhew, president of EuRIC’s plastic recycling branch (EPRB) and General Manager at MBA Polymers, emphasised the major contribution that plastics recycling can make towards a circular economy for improving Europe’s competitiveness and resource efficiency.
He said: “Moving towards a more sustainable economy for plastics will deliver considerable benefits. What is missing in order to speed up that transition are measures to stimulate the demand for recycled plastics in products through recycled content targets and incentives rewarding their environmental benefits when compared with virgin plastics and a more consistent legislative framework. It is essential to further restrict landfill and incineration of but also better control unprocessed plastic waste exports outside Europe to countries with lower recycling standards.”
The document is available HERE.
PackFlow work to help set 2021 targets
PackFlow materials reports, which have contributed to the developing packaging policy by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are to be updated in light of COVID-19
WRAP and INCPEN are teaming up with the consulting arm of packaging compliance specialist, Valpak, to update the PackFlow materials reports which were produced by Valpak in the past.
Wood packaging will be one area looked at
The PackFlow reports are designed to quantify how much packaging is placed on the UK market (POM) and subsequently recycled. All five PackFlow materials reports covering glass, metal, paper, plastic and wood will be updated as part of the process.
The intention is to complete the project by the end of August 2020. This will enable its findings to be fed into the ongoing work by the UK governments and the ACP on PRN system issues which includes the need to set business recycling targets for the five materials in 2021 and 2022.In addition, the review will also seek to establish the impact and potential ramifications of COVID-19 on the packaging supply chain: from the ‘obligated producers’ including manufacturers, packer/fillers, retailers and brands, to households, and on the collection and recycling of that packaging (Local Authorities, waste management and recycling companies).
James Skidmore, head of consulting at Valpak, said: “Valpak Consulting is delighted to be helping businesses navigate through this unprecedented situation and is working closely with our partners INCPEN, WRAP and wider industry stakeholders.”
The post Packaging news-in-brief (03/06/2020) appeared first on letsrecycle.com.
Source: letsrecycle.com Packaging
