Plastics 2020 Challenge Welcomes Institution of Civil Engineers Waste Report
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
The Plastics 2020 Challenge has welcomed the findings of the Institution of Civil Engineers’ State of the Nation: Waste and Resource Management (published today, 13 January 2011), which examines the current state of the UK’s waste infrastructure.
Peter Davis of the Plastics 2020 Challenge said: “The State of the Nation report highlights a number of practical steps that business, central and local government can take to manage our waste resources more efficiently and make a real contribution to the UK’s energy security at the same time. “While recent governments have used recycling targets as a blunt instrument for raising the volume of waste materials we recover and recycle, this report clearly highlights the need for a more flexible regime that focuses on quality as well as quantity.
“If we are smarter about how we collect and sort valuable waste materials for recycling, we can considerably enhance the quality of the recycled materials we produce. While some progress has been made on this front in recent years, significant investment in infrastructure and greater co-operation at local level is still sorely needed.
“Proven waste technologies that recover energy from materials which cannot currently be recycled have enormous potential to provide a secure and sustainable energy source for the UK, helping to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, some of which is imported. However, as this report shows, the route for waste infrastructure through the planning process needs to simplified and greater investment secured from central government if this opportunity is to be realised.”
ENDS
For press information contact Karl Smyth at PPS Group on:
Telephone: 020 7259 1717 or email: [email protected]
For further information on the Plastics 2020 Challenge Visit: www.plastics2020challenge.com
Notes to Editors
The Plastics 2020 Challenge
The Plastics 2020 Challenge wishes to see plastics diverted from landfill in order to reduce climate change impact, address the energy deficit, and achieve a step change in efficient use of resources.
The plastics industry is more than aware of its responsibilities in a developing world. That’s why we are doing everything we can to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover our products.
REDUCE
Reduce wastage and environmental impact by continuous innovation of lightweight, high performance plastic materials and products.
REUSE
Develop new solutions and designs to increase the reuse of plastic products.
RECYCLE
Double plastic packaging recycling rate by 2020 through working in partnership with the whole value chain and all levels of government to facilitate and promote effective markets, technologies and infrastructure.
RECOVER
Support high efficiency energy from waste techniques for end-of-life plastics where recycling is not an option.
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