Figures released by the Environment Agency (EA) show a continued positive outlook for 2017.
The data published on the EA website shows a significant number of PRNs (Packaging waste Recovery Notes) from December 2016 will be used to meet the 2017 obligation across all materials. When combined with the figures released a month ago, the picture looks particularly rosy.
PRNs issued in December are often referred to as “transitional” due to the fact they can be used to meet obligations in the current or following year. The data shows that there was more than enough capacity in the UK to meet 2016 packaging recycling targets and the fact that there was a surplus of PRNs in 2016 will now buoy 2017 recycling figures. There are also nearly 40 recyclers and exporters yet to report their figures, so the outlook could well be even better.
It’s welcome news to see the UK meeting recycling targets, especially with target increases continuing over the next few years. With more and more producers looking to understand the impact their PRN money is having, made possible through the transparent PRN platform Circularety, it’s important that the country continues to meet targets and build infrastructure.
The figures below show nearly 65,000 tonnes of plastic PRNs were carried into 2017, which is nearly double the amount that was carried into 2016.
To discuss how this news may affect your packaging compliance, please contact our team on 0333 4330 370 or email info@ecosurety.com.
Robbie Staniforth
Innovation and policy director
Robbie is innovation and policy director at Ecosurety. Having spent years building an intimate understanding of the industry’s policies and politics, he uses this knowledge to help shape new legislation and oversees Ecosurety’s growing portfolio of cross-industry innovation projects including Podback and the Flexible Plastic Fund. He has worked closely with Defra during the most recent packaging consultations, outlining the impacts and required transitional arrangements of the UK’s new EPR system and is a member of the government’s Advisory Committee on Packaging (ACP). He is also a spokesperson for the company and regularly uses his influence to communicate the importance of environmental responsibility to external stakeholders.
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.
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