DS Smith has hosted an Indonesian trade delegation in its West Uxbridge recycling depot as part of a wider visit to British waste management and recycling operations.
The team of five was composed of trade envoys and senior stakeholders investigating recycling standards abroad. Indonesia is one of the many markets that DS Smith exports and supplies paper to and the delegation heard from the company’s Recycling Division UK Exports Director, Andrew Akroyd, who focused on the importance of quality for reprocessing.
Jochen Behr, Head of Recycling at DS Smith, who also hosted the delegation said, “We were delighted to host the Indonesian trade delegation and showcase the processes we have in place to make sure that material leaving our UK depots meets the increasing quality standards of our overseas customers.”
The issue of waste exports, particularly plastic, has recently topped the government’s agenda, with a commitment in the Queen’s Speech to ban plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries. The move follows Indonesia’s efforts to crack down on exported foreign waste after the country received and returned over 250 contaminated containers in violation of import rules this year.
Agnieszka Grala of Baltic Control Group, who facilitated the visit, commented, “It was positive for us to see a recycling facility to get an understanding how the process works from the supply side. The visit to DS Smith was positive and will support UK recycling supply to Indonesia in the future.”
Indonesian Delegation and Jochen Behr, DS Smith Head of Recycling (third from right) and Andy Akroyd, UK Exports Director for DS Smith Recycling (second from right).
