Our response to the EA consultation on the potential impacts of a Deposit Recycle Scheme (DRS) in the UK was submitted last month
The ‘Call for evidence on voluntary and economic incentives to reduce littering of drinks containers and promote recycling’ consultation closed on 20 November and covered three key areas – the current system, DRS options and alternative measures.
Improvements are required
Ecosurety does not support carrying on as normal with the current recycling system, as we believe improvements are required in both recycling infrastructure and public awareness. However, such improvements must be built into a wider national strategy for resources and the circular economy.
Additional packaging types, such as, cans and cartons, must be given equal consideration as plastic drinks containers. Additionally, looking at drinks containers in seclusion constitutes a fragmented approach to litter and recycling that we do not support.
A future DRS is not the only option
We believe that a future DRS is not the only option. At present, there is not sufficient evidence that a deposit or reward and return scheme could successfully sit alongside the current PRN system. Unfortunately, there is no valid evidence from other countries that the two are compatible as implementation of The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive has been so different in the UK when compared to other member states.
The only way to ensure the success of such a scheme, to ensure that it would not reduce the effectiveness or increase the costs of existing waste management systems and regulations in England, would be to consider its implementation as part of a wider review of packaging waste regulation in the UK.
However, we believe a new PRN system, coupled with improved on-the-go recycling facilities, will have the biggest impact, not only on drinks containers, but all plastic packaging waste. We also believe that public consultation on the PRN system by government is required to form a rounded understanding of the benefits of any such reform.
Robbie Staniforth, commercial manager, commented “We’re happy to see the government stepping up efforts to address the concerns around plastic waste. We hope the findings from this consultation inform a holistic government strategy to be released in 2018.“
You can download the full summary of our response here.
Ben Luger
Marketing projects specialist
Ben joined the team at the beginning of 2015 and helps drive marketing communications and projects for Ecosurety, including project managing the launch of the Ecosurety Exploration Fund and website content development.
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