Paper and Cardboard Recovery

Data analysis by the Confederation of Paper Industry (CPI) shows solid progress in the recovery of used paper products from the waste stream for recycling.

The 2007 collected tonnage was 7.5 per cent higher than the previous year's levels. It is a welcome rise after the poor growth levels seen in 2006 (only 3.4 per cent higher than 2005). In the last year, just over 8.7 million tonnes of recovered paper was either used in the UK (46 per cent), or exported for reprocessing overseas (54 per cent). This paper and board recycling performance represents greenhouse gas savings of over 11 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, in comparison to other disposal options such as landfill and incineration.

Peter Seggie, Recovered Paper Sector Manager at CPI, voiced concerns about the future of paper recycling: "The majority of untapped recovered paper in the UK remains in the municipal, small business and away from home waste streams. Although there is evidence that this is now being targeted by government, the question of sustained quality of material remains. CPI is concerned that much of the paper available from these streams will be diverted to large scale recyclate sorting plants in the UK which is a high-risk, more problematic recovery route."