Last week, the Environment Agency published the total packaging handled figures, which determine the UK’s obligation for 2014.
This data shows that the tonnage of packaging handled in some materials in 2013 was lower than in 2012, which is a positive sign that producers are moving towards reducing their overall packaging usage.
It is encouraging to see that there has been a decrease in the UK’s obligation since 2013, in the more volatile materials, such as glass and steel. We are hoping that this decrease will relieve some of the pressure on the PRN markets that we have seen recently. ecosurety was recently asked to contribute to an article published by Lets Recycle. Click here to read more.
As expected, the UK’s glass obligation has lowered since 2013 as the overall recycling target has been reduced to 75%, from 81% last year. The UK’s steel obligation is also lower in 2014 than it was in 2013, which is reassuring as the market has recently been put under pressure by reduced recycling, which caused the PRN price to increase to around £15 per tonne.
The quarter one recycling figures, published by the Environment Agency last month, show that the quarterly obligation was exceeded by the amount of recycling in all materials (except aluminium and steel.) This suggests that, on the whole, the markets should remain fairly stable and hopefully the PRN prices won’t increase as a result.
If you have any questions, or would like to discuss any of the above in further detail, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our Compliance Specialists on 0845 094 2228 or email info@ecosurety.com.
James Piper
Non-executive director
James Piper is a non-executive director of Ecosurety, having previously taken on the role of CEO for nearly five years when he was now focused on leading the development of new products and services that not only benefited producers, but helped to drive change for good and a positive impact on UK recycling.
Useful links
On 22 November, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted in favour of a position paper concerning EU-wide rules aiming to increase the reuse and recycling of packaging.
Read More >>The UK’s largest flexible plastic household collection and recycling pilot, FPF FlexCollect expands into two new local authorities – Reading Borough Council and North Hertfordshire Council.
Read More >>Every year the four devolved nations set packaging waste recycling targets that inform the amount of recycling evidence – or PRN/PeRNs – producers buy to fulfil their obligations.
Read More >>
