Many analysts believe the framework — which was introduced in 1997 — is in need of updating.
The Packaging Waste Recycling Note (PRN) and Packaging Export Recovery Note (PERN) system was rolled out under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations. At the time, policymakers positioned the schemes as a way for producers to prove they had met statutory circularity obligations for a given year.
Since then, evidence notes have been used to help fund recycling investment, leading to a significant expansion in Britain’s recycling infrastructure. However, almost 30 years later, requirements and pressure points have changed, and as such reform is needed to bring the existing system into the 21st Century.
‘We welcome this consultation which aims to level the playing field between UK reprocessors and exporters. It comes at a critical time with the UK’s recycling infrastructure facing significant capacity constraints amid a challenging operating environment with severe cost headwinds and competition from cheaper virgin materials,’ said David Gudgeon, Head of External Affairs at international circular economy specialist Reconomy.
‘By encouraging more packaging waste to be processed domestically, this could potentially be transformational for the UK recycling industry by providing greater certainty of waste supply and funding, helping to unlock billions of pounds of private investment and enabling domestic operators to play a leading role in the UK’s transition to a circular economy,’ he continued.
Proposals include the introduction of new requirements that all accredited operators should base their evidence on packaging content handled after sorting and cleaning. A new Exceptional Mechanism for Compliance could also be created, which would offer a legal means to address the market shortfall of PRN or PERN.
‘Through our proposed reforms, we will support our recycling sector by stamping out fraudulent activity and boosting recycling rates,’ said Mary Creagh, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. ‘I encourage all packaging producers, reprocessors, and exporters to engage with our consultation, aimed at ensuring a level playing field for all businesses.’
You can find the consultation here.
Image: Luke Heibert / Unsplash
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