Simpler Recycling will be implemented late-March, changing how organisations should deal with food and other waste streams.
In response, some of the biggest companies in the British packaging sector have formed the Alliance for Fibre-Based Packaging to advocate for their products ahead of both new business waste legislation and Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility [pEPR] coming into effect.
Founding members of the Alliance include Huhtamaki, Seda, Benders Paper Cups, Colpac, Sonoco, ProAmpac, Coveris, Sabert, Graphic Packaging, AVA – The Vending and Automated Retail Association and ECMA – The European Carton Makers Association. Instinctif Partners and Dram Communications will act as the Alliance secretariat. Among other things, the organisation will work to ensure a level playing field between different types of packaging materials to protect interests under the new regimes.
‘As fibre-based packaging options become more common as a renewably sourced and low carbon alternative to fossil-based products, it is essential that as much fibre-based packaging material as possible is collected, sorted and recycled,’ said Neil Whittall, Head of Sustainability at Huhtamaki Fiber Foodservice EAO and co-chair of the Alliance for Fibre-Based Packaging. Our businesses are committed to working closely with the UK Government and stakeholders to ensure that the detailed implementation of waste and recycling policies supports this outcome.”
pEPR is particularly far reaching for packaging producers, who are being asked to develop a ‘full net cost recovery system’ and ‘pay the full costs of household packaging they place on the market’. Notably, though, the final regulations have removed ‘the mandatory take back of cups, mandatory labelling and binned packaging waste payments from ‘on the go bins’ functions from the proposal’.
‘I look forward to developing a partnership with the Alliance for Fibre-Based Packaging to ensure that fibre and fibre-based packaging is designed to be recyclable while also protecting the product within it,’ said Paul Sanderson, Chief Executive of The Recycling Association. ‘Working across the value chain is essential as we look to develop the circular economy, and the Alliance will be a vital part of that.’
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