Plastic recyclers call for ‘more action in 2014’
Government should make ‘less conversation and [take] more action in 2014’ to help improve the UK resources industry, Jonathan Short, Deputy Chairman and Founder of ECO Plastics has told Resource.
Reviewing the year, Short said that it did ‘feel as if major progress was made in 2013’, but that ‘there is still much to be done’.
Specifically, Short highlighted that government should focus on improving recyclate quality and boosting domestic recycling in 2014, saying: “Major concerns over the quality of the UK waste stream and the continuing policy of incentivising export ahead of domestic processing must be resolved, and quickly…
“It is essential that Defra introduces a compulsory and unadulterated Code of Practice for Material Recycling Facilities as its first order of business in 2014.”
Short went on to say he was glad that government appears to be considering a review of the Packaging Recovery Note scheme, as ‘it is ludicrous that exporters are able to generate significantly more revenue than domestic processors’.
He added: ”If we want a comprehensive and world beating waste industry, we must allow UK processors to generate the revenues needed to finance the creation of new infrastructure, rather than subsidising the export of our raw materials abroad.”
Fellow plastic recyclers Closed Loop Recycling has also outlined the need for reforms in the industry, CEO Chris Dow saying: “We expect the EU revised Waste Framework Directive to play a significant role in shaping the future of the UK and wider European recycling industry in 2014. PRN/PERN reform and a MRF Code of Practice are key to that, in addition to clarity on UK landfill tax and stringent recycling targets that the whole industry can work towards in partnership.
“Ultimately, what we all want to see is the long term sustainability of the industry which has the potential to be the best of the best in Europe. Such future-proofing will be good news for consumers, for waste and recycling companies, packaging companies and for investors – as well as the environment. We look forward to continuing to work with Defra and BIS in 2014 to support the potential of the waste sector to generate investment and jobs.”
Adding that a campaign educating consumers on recycling could ‘address to problem’ of the UK’s plateauing recycling rate, Short concluded: “Whilst attending various conferences within the UK and Europe there is a real sense of frustration around the on-going dialogue and little obvious action. We need less conversation and more action in 2014. With a few key changes, the UK could be on the verge of creating a truly world beating industry.”
Read Jonathan Short’s full comment piece for Resource.