The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has marked three years of its On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) scheme by announcing its 150th signatory.
Geeta’s Foods – a London-based company supplying a range of Indian sauces, pickles and chutneys – joins the growing list of retailers and manufacturers adding the labels to more than 50,000 product lines.
Other members include Heinz, Sainsbury’s, B&Q and soft drink giant Coca-Cola. Each label – created in collaboration with the government’s waste delivery body, WRAP – gives information to customers about the recyclability of each element of a product’s packaging.
The scheme aims to make it easier for consumers to identify which materials can be recycled. BRC points out that this can also help to raise recycling rates for items that are often overlooked and, as a result, the ‘recycle now swoosh’ logo is used by more than 90 per cent of local authorities and, BRC says, recognised by two-thirds of consumers.
BRC’s Director of Food and Sustainability, Andrew Opie, said: "It's great to welcome Geeta’s Foods as our one hundred and fiftieth signatory. It goes to show the value of the consistent recycling message provided by the On-Pack Recycling Label to a comprehensive mix of smaller retailers and producers as well as big, national and global brands.
“In just three years, it’s reached over 50,000 different product lines and is making a noticeable difference to the quantity and quality of material customers are sending for recycling.”
Speaking about the announcement today (10 September), Geeta’s Foods’ Managing Director, Anita Samtani, said: “We’re very proud to be part of the British Retail Consortium’s On-Pack Recycling Label scheme and part of this wider global sustainability initiative. We would like to encourage all of our customers to keep on recycling.”
WRAP’s Director, Marcus Gover, echoed the thoughts of Ms Samtani, adding: “We welcome the 150th signatory and acknowledge the efforts of all OPRL members in promoting the scheme – providing a clear message to consumers on which packaging can be recycled.”
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.