On 23 May, members of the EU Council formally adopted the Circular Economy Package – ground-breaking legislation dictating new rules for recycling and waste management.
Commenting on the announcement, Mathew Prosser, UK Managing Director at DS Smith Recycling, said, “I’m delighted that ministers have given their backing to the eagerly-anticipated Circular Economy Package. Closing the loop of product lifecycles is essential to improving sustainability nationwide.
“However, while in principle the package will prove instrumental in challenging the status quo and driving noteworthy progress toward a more resource-efficient future, achieving the outlined targets will be unattainable without significant reform to our existing policies.
“As a nation far down the league table when it comes to recycling rates, the Circular Economy Package should provide the UK with a springboard to rise up the ranks, as it seeks to drive our recycling rate up from 45% (where it sat in 2016) to 65% by 2035. If we are to achieve this step-change in performance, we have to review our overall strategy as UK plc, with particular focus on PRN reform, collection consistency, and investment into recycling infrastructure to better support local authorities. Unless we make positive changes now, the UK is destined to be a mid-table recycler at best.
“We need to lead the way, not follow the crowd. This announcement is an opportunity we mustn’t waste.”
