Policy around our resources is in focus in a way unseen for years. Recent activity includes a consultation pending the introduction of deposit return scheme, a review of packaging regulation and its PRN system, changes to waste crime regulation and enforcement powers, the circular economy and extended producer responsibility to list just some. The sector is also within sight [perhaps], due later this year, of a new resource strategy (Therese Coffey, giving evidence at the Environmental Audit Committee, hoped it will come out at the end of November) with hints being made of new waste metrics. Competing with this sudden dynamism for officer time is the frenzy whipped up following Blue Planet II around avoidable, single use plastic and plastic in our oceans that has already brought about the Plastic Pact.
LARAC constantly works to represent member interests. Increasingly it seems LARAC is one of the ‘go to’ organisations for government and other waste stakeholders and not only is LARAC being asked, more than ever LARAC’s voice is being listened to.
Space limits policy areas I can report on here but two areas of significant policy input are as follows;
Deposit Return Schemes; within the LARAC exec, discussion is being made on the various merits of DRS. At first glance a DRS may seem a good idea. But following more detailed examination LARAC does not support introduction of a DRS. LARAC’s view is there is already effective, established and funded collection of drinks containers from the kerbside. The effect of introducing a DRS will be to cannibalise particularly more valuable materials from existing collection scheme that local authorities will still have a duty to deliver but from them will generate less revenue from sale of recyclate.
Also, in order to generate the deposit return value, consumers will have to pay more for those goods in containers included in a DRS scheme unless of course producers/retailers altruistically reduce their profit margin…. ‘Older’ LARAC OnLine readers may remember Tesco’s foray into reverse vending machines and the challenges presented, well intended maybe but challenging to deliver and open to misuse, the life of that system was short.
LARAC suggests there are other measures that can be introduced such as through extended producer responsibility that can achieve better outcome than DRS and more effectively. Often it is the less ‘fashionable’ policies that achieve the most beneficial outcome. If a DRS is to be introduced LARAC suggest it is limited to ‘on the go on the high street’ containers, to reduce littering and for a common UK system to be implemented.
Packaging Regulation and PRN system; Following a call for evidence, the National Audit Office recently evaluated and reported on the Packaging Recycling Obligations and associated Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) system. The report can be found here https://www.nao.org.uk/report/the-packaging-recycling-obligations/ and sadly makes for dismal reading. The current PRN system has been around for over 20 years and has generated revenue of over £1Bn aimed to fund the recycling of packaging materials. Little evidence exists of PRN revenues being put to this use.
Whilst the report acknowledges that packaging recovery targets have been exceeded, largely this has been achieved due to the effect of other policy drivers for instance the landfill tax escalator. A measure that in many cases has crippled the local government budgets that the PRN system was supposed to support. The report identifies too little inspection and enforcement has taken place, the system is open to fraud, error and free riders exist e.g. some companies that should have registered their packaging activity have not done so. The current PRN system has been around 20 years but remains opaque and too little understood even by some companies placing packaging on the market. LARAC has added its voice to calls for packaging regulation reform.
National Recycle Week; On a lighter note, 24th to 30th of September is the 15th national recycle week, supported by material available from Wrap. Have some fun getting the recycling message across and good luck with your campaigns.
