Compliance specialists have said that provisional packaging data for the year to April 10 has shown positive signs, despite glass and paper seeing a fall.
As outlined in the table below, recycling figures recently put on the National Packaging Waste Database highlight that paper and glass have both seen reductions in the year to 10 April, against the same period last year.
Aluminium, steel, plastic and wood have all seen increases.
The data shows the amount of materials recycled in tonnes under the UK’s packaging waste – PRN and PERN – system.
Recovered paper and board is down 162,320 tonnes year-on-year representing a fall of nearly 20%.
However, these figures for the first quarter of the year are compiled only using optional monthly submissions and the official version of the data for the first quarter will be published by the Environment Agency later this year.
‘Encouraging’
The figures were largely welcomed by compliance specialists, but there were warnings that the data won’t take into account the full impact of the current lockdown period.
“The full impact of the current period of lockdown is unlikely to become apparent for some time”
David Daw, project analyst at Valpak, said: “Overall these figures present an encouraging picture for packaging recycling, especially for plastic, aluminium and steel. However the monthly report can only ever be a rough guide as many reprocessers don’t provide this data until the end of the quarter when it is also verified by the agencies.
“This could well be more pronounced this year as there has been significant growth in the number of new accreditations of reprocessors and exporters from last year. In addition the full impact of the current period of lockdown is unlikely to become apparent for some time”.
Pandemic
Martin Trigg-Knight, head of packaging at Clarity Environmental, said the figures looked healthy but cautioned that the industry is now “coming to terms” with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Overall, the March data looks healthy for the most part, and alongside the figures for the year so far, it provides a positive outlook for the year ahead. Plastic and steel, in particular, are progressing well, with the data reporting significantly higher levels for both grades compared to the same time last year. Paper is one grade that is not currently in as strong a position as it could be.
“The data brings positive news after last year’s volatility, but the industry is now coming to terms with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.”
Martin Trigg-Knight, head of packaging at Clarity Environmental
Mr Trigg-Knight added: “It is too early to properly assess how this unprecedented global situation is affecting the country’s recycling and recovery performance, but our PRN system does have the benefit of being able to adapt to external forces in a way that other countries can’t. And whilst UK reprocessing currently continues in good volumes, it is being significantly supported by the export sector.”
Targets
Sandeep Attwal, procurement specialist at Ecosurety, said the data suggests a strong position for most materials, with glass being “the only material which is behind target”.
Ms Attwal added: “The next quarter is going to be a crucial time for the industry and we all need to support the supply chain to ensure we focus on meeting recycling targets for 2020.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Packaging
