Return to the main press release page
To be released immediately: 8th January 1999
The Community Recycling Network has identified a breakdown of the Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) system, in its first year of operation. The PRN system was designed to boost the recycling rate but has not resulted in an increase in Britain's recycling capacity.
The system, launched by the previous Government as part of the Producer Responsibility Obligations Regulations 1997, was meant to act as a market mechanism in which revenue from PRNs would percolate from a few accredited reprocessors to recycling providers and collectors. Retailers, manufacturers and packagers, who handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging materials per year or have a turnover of £5 million, have paid reprocessors an estimated £75 million for PRNs, a guarantee that their obligations are being met.
The money, which should have seen investment in new reprocessing capacity, materials sorting and collection infrastructure has failed to filter down.
The £75 million could have more than doubled the recycling rate if the money had been spent on community kerbside collection schemes, where recyclables are picked up from people's doorsteps. Alternatively, it could have paid for a paper mill, which would have contributed significantly to the national recycling rates.
Andy Bond, Chair of the Community Recycling Network said:
"The community waste sector is in a particularly good position to improve recycling in this country. We already reach three quarters of a million homes with a kerbside collection service."
"£75 million could have paid for the equivalent of a community kerbside collection scheme in every major conurbation in Britain. Such an investment would have increased the recycling rate by 8% within the year. Alternatively, we could have built a paper mill to recycle our collected tonnage with that amount of money."
Andy Moore, CRN Co-ordinator said:
"We collectors certainly haven't seen any of the money, nor can I see any new reprocessing capacity. It is difficult not to conclude that the reprocessors have simply kept the money."
"The current system of packaging compliance has failed the community waste management sector and the recycling public. The CRN urges Mr Meacher to make sure the review addresses the problems properly and that in future payments by industry for PRNs result in new collection and reprocessing."
NOTES TO THE EDITOR:
Britain's recycling rate is currently 7%, an 8% increase would double the recycling rate in this country.
Andy Bond is Chair of CRN and managing director of ECT Recycling, a not-for-profit company providing kerbside collection schemes to Ealing, Hounslow, Lambeth, Brent and Vale of the White Horse.
The Community Recycling Network is a national umbrella organisation representing over 200 community recycling and waste management projects throughout the UK.
CRN member organisations collectively provide recycling services to over 4.5 million people, 11,500 businesses and 2,000 schools and colleges. Members include local authority kerbside subcontractors, community composting schemes, collectors of commercial waste paper, scrapstores, furniture recyclers and waste minimisation and re-use projects.
The CRN's aim is to promote community recycling as a practical and effective way of tackling the UK's growing waste problem. Our members work together to promote sustainable waste management and continue to have a pioneering effect on the development of Local Agenda 21, whilst achieving some of the highest recycling rates in the UK.
For more information about the Community Recycling Network, please contact Anna Maris, Publicity Officer on 0117 942 0142. Community Recycling Network, 10-12 Picton Street, Montpelier, Bristol BS6 5QA.