The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is taking steps to improve compliance of aluminium reprocessors after the number of aluminium packaging waste recovery notes (PRNs) issued in the UK failed to meet statutory business targets for 2015.
In the second quarter of 2015, figures show only around 12,334 tonnes of aluminium were recycled, compared to the estimated 16,750 tonnes required per quarter to achieve the government’s target. The industry argues, however, that the actual recycling level is much higher, but that it is not being correctly reported because the PRN system is not fit for purpose, due to an onerous voluntary accreditation process.
Because of the shortfall in aluminium PRNs, the department has today (21 August) released a position paper outlining steps that will be taken to address operator accreditation for PRNs and packaging export recovery notes (PERNs) for aluminium.
Defra is urging unaccredited reprocessors and exporters to become accredited and encouraging compliance schemes to actively assist them in doing do, so that the requisite number of PRNs and PERNS are secured for producers.
It is also asking reprocessors and exporters to ‘make every effort’ to recycle all available aluminium packaging waste and urging reprocessors and exporters to make PRNs/PERNs available to the market.
To encourage new operators to produce PRNs, Defra is regarding all those accredited after 1 January 2015 as being accredited to issue notes in relation to the total amount of waste received ‘over an extended period’.
Agencies empowered to enforce penalties on non-compliant producers and schemes
In a statement, Defra said: ‘We expect producers and compliance schemes to comply with their packaging recycling and recovery obligations.
‘If there are instances of non-compliance identified at the end of the year, the Environment Agency, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), Natural Resources Wales and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency will take appropriate enforcement action.’
Actions that Defra says could be taken by the various agencies would seek to eliminate any financial gain from non-compliance and could include criminal conviction.
Where compliance schemes fail to comply with obligations, agencies are able to impose ‘special measures’, requiring them to meet specific additional conditions, such as meeting 100 per cent of its obligation by 30 September of a given year, and not accepting new members into the scheme.
Should that option not be considered appropriate, agencies can move straight to the cancellation of the scheme’s approval and will also consider warnings, formal cautions and prosecution.
Directly registered producers, however, will be liable to face civil sanctions if they have failed to comply with their recovery and recycling obligations, meaning they would have to provide funding into an environmental project equivalent to the costs avoided through non-compliance, plus an additional penalty.
The same penalties of a warning letter, formal caution and prosecution are also open to agencies if producers are non-compliant.
Targets set to increase next year
Aluminium business targets are still set to rise to 52 per cent for 2016 and 55 per cent for 2017.
Defra is therefore keen that compliance schemes and directly registered producers develop a good understanding of the market and have robust plans in place to ensure they meet their obligations.
A Defra spokesperson said: “Reprocessors and exporters across the country make a valuable contribution to our environment by recycling aluminium packaging, and we encourage all reprocessors to become accredited so that their good work can be recognised and count towards our recycling targets.”
‘Inherent weaknesses’ of PRN system encourage poor reporting
The Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro), which recently commissioned Resource Futures to ascertain ‘the real aluminium packaging recycling figure’ due to low levels of reporting, has ‘repeatedly’ voiced concerns over the ‘inherent weaknesses’ of the PRN system.
In July, Rick Hindley, Executive Director of Alupro, said: “With the EU Circular Economy Package likely to raise recycling targets even further, it is vital that we understand exactly how much aluminium packaging is in the household waste stream, and exactly how much is being recycled.”
Read the government’s statement on aluminium PRNs.
Get our weekly digest
resource.co article ai
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.