BPF Statement in Response to Government Consultations
Wednesday, 20 February 2019
Earlier this week on Monday 18th February, the government launched four consultations seeking views on policy proposals intended to help improve the way waste is managed in the UK. These include Reforming the UK Packaging Producer Responsibility System; Consistency in Household and Business Recycling Collections in England, Introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and a proposed plastic packaging tax.
Director-General of the British Plastics Federation Philip Law, gives a statement in response:
The British Plastics Federation has been calling on government to improve the UK’s recycling system for many years, and in broad strokes these consultations represent a positive step in that direction. The BPF is a strong supporter of the government’s aims to leave the environment in a better state for future generations, and in particular:
1. To drive improved consistency in collections to ensure more plastic material is collected for recycling.
2. To make it easier for consumers to recycle.
3. To ensure packaging in use is designed to minimise waste.
4. To support measures that will control the export of waste packaging materials.
5. To drive increased partnership working by councils to further improve efficiencies.
It is also true that in efforts to protect our ecosystems, we must take account of the sustainable advantages of plastic packaging – namely, in reducing food waste and helping lower greenhouse gas emissions. These factors must always be kept in mind to ensure that new measures developed end up effectively lowering our overall impact on the environment.
It is also essential that in these actions the government ensures the cost burden to both consumers and businesses is minimised, and that the manufacturing industry in the UK is not disadvantaged, especially at this time of economic uncertainty when our industry needs the support of government to ensure it remains a strong force on the global stage.
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