Packaging continues to use its material and energy resources more efficiently, says Packaging Federation chief executive Ian Dent in his 4th UK Market Report.
Ramming the point home, Dent points to a 20% increase in demand for soft drinks between 1997 and 2002 while packaging per litre consumed declined by 21%. "This is equivalent to saving 44 kilotonnes of packaging and (waste)," he says.
Looking at the changing demand for textile detergents, he added: "UK households did 3bn more washes between 1997-2001, but packaging per wash declined by 9% in the same period."
The UK is also catching up with the rest of the EU-12 where recycling is concerned, notching up 166.8kg/capita in 2002. In 1998 the UK's recycling rate was just 28%. In 2002 it was 44% with a growth rate of 16%. The EU recycling target by the end of 2008 is an ambitious 55-80%.
Dent has also welcomed the decision of the Confederation of Paper Industries' Corrugated sector to become an affiliate of the Packaging Federation, which he says "means UK packaging converters can now successfully become a powerful united voice representing all primary packaging materialsand providing a more consistent message to government".
Copies of the 4th UK Market Report are available from The Packaging Federation, T: +44 (0) 20 7808 7217, www.packagingfedn.co.uk
