Industry has given a lukewarm response to the UK Government’s recent waste policy related to packaging, with retailers and the plastics sector among those that have identified its shortcomings.
Peter Davis of the Plastics 2020 Challenge welcomed the Waste Review’s pledge to support loans to fund sorting and reprocessing capacity for non-bottle plastics, “But our analysis shows that there needs to be further investment beyond WRAP’s current three-year Mixed Plastics Loan Fund.”
He adds: “Without access to more sorting and reprocessing plants to deal with food trays, margarine tubs, yogurt pots, bags and films the steady improvements made with plastics recycling collections in recent years will stall and future targets won’t be met.”
‘Disappointing’ was the British Retail Consortium (BRC) verdict on the Waste Review, noting an over-emphasis on future consultations and reviews and ‘sharing best-practice’ with little in terms of concrete action or leadership.
“The review promised to look at what policies are needed to reduce the amount of waste generated and to maximise reuse and recycling. Where are those policies?” says Bob Gordon, BRC Head of Environment.
