UK to meet 2017 packaging recycling targets

According to a report released by the National Packaging Waste Database (NPWD), the UK is currently on course to meet its recycling obligations for all packaging materials.

The data shows that the amount of recycling for key packaging materials throughout the first two quarters of the year show recycling rates over 50 per cent.

Each packaging material has its own target set for 2017:

• Glass – 77 per cent
• Steel – 76 per cent
• Paper – 69 per cent
• Aluminium – 55 per cent
• Plastic – 51 per cent
• Wood – 22 per cent

Analysis carried out by compliance scheme Ecosurety shows that so far this year 1.8 million tonnes of paper has been recycled, fulfilling approximately 73 per cent of the required 2.5 million tonnes of the year.

The recycling rates in percentages towards their individual targets are as follows:

• Glass – 52 per cent
• Steel – 69 per cent
• Paper – 73 per cent
• Aluminium – 60 per cent
• Plastic – 54 per cent
• Wood – 94 per cent

According to Ecosurety the rising prices of plastic had initially been a concern but that the prices had actually led the UK to achieving more than 50 per cent of its target six months into the year.

It added that China’s intention to ban a range of imported secondary materials could have a major impact on the cost of compliance in 2018.

Ecosurety commercial manager Robbie Staniforth said:

Figures for packaging recycling in Q2 of the year have revealed that the UK is well on the way to meet its targets, despite concerns over China’s crackdown.

“There are a number of ready-to-market technologies that could be implemented in the coming months and years which would ease the reliance on China.”

Tom Rickerby, senior market operator at PRN trading platform T2e, said:

The apparent resilience of the recovered plastic market should give buyers more confidence going into the second half of the compliance year.

“However, any market reaction to this is likely to be tempered by the potential ramifications of a longer term plastic import ban in China.

“Plastic PRN spot prices on t2e are down 9% to £61.25 since the release of the Q2 data.”

Andy Jessop

Andy has worked as a freelance journalist for a number of years and has been published in some of the UK’s top newspapers. He is now the editor Commercial Waste Magazine and contributes to a large selection of headlines and blog articles on the site.