Wales aims to increase recycled packaging as part of zero waste goal
The recommendation forms part of WAG’s Collections, Infrastructure and Markets (CIM) Sector Plan for Consultation March 2011 which covers the management of all waste in Wales.
WAG aims to recycle 70 per cent of its waste by 2025. To achieve its Zero Neutral goal, the government has set out a framework for resource efficiency and waste management between now and 2050.
Reducing the data gap
According to WAG, Waste Resources and Action Programme (WRAP) Cymru is to prepare a detailed market report with the aim of reducing the data gap identified between the amount of plastic available in the waste stream, and the reprocessing capacity available in the Welsh market
However, WAG said that the CIM Waste Sector Plan identifies the need for additional evidence and data on certain issues. The government said there is very limited data on the quantities of waste items that are put to reuse, therefore WAG said it will explore ways to build on its existing evidence base, drawing, on previous studies and also commissioning new research.
Environment minister Jane Davidson Davidson said Wales is aiming to become a world-leader in the resource-management industry.
"Recycling is not just about being green; it makes real economic sense. High recycling means more jobs for Welsh workers, more raw materials for Welsh industry and lower costs for Welsh councils and businesses,” she said.
“Ignoring our waste is not an option, not least because it would mean significantly higher costs,” she added.
rPET supply in Great Britain
The aim of a recently announced alliance between Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE)and ECO Plastics is to than double the amount of rPET produced annually in Great Britian (GB).
CCE is investing £5m in a newrecycling facility that is expected to increase the total of PET bottles reprocessed in GB from approximately 35,000 tonnes last year to 75,000 tonnes, when the site is fully operational.
Currently CCE sources food-grade rPET from continental Europe, while around two-thirds of used Great Britain's plastics packaging is exported for reprocessing.
Jonathan Short, managing director of ECO Plastics, said that demand for sustainable packaging in GB had gathered pace in recent years, whilst GB’s supply of recycled plastics had grown significantly.
