DS Smith has today (17 March) announced a recycling contract with Kent County Council to process 15,000 tonnes of paper and cardboard a year.
The collected paper and cardboard will be processed in DS Smith’s paper mill in Kemsley, Kent – which currently recycles over 840,000 tonnes of material every year.
Kent County Council is working with its collection services to reduce contamination of recycling by collecting paper and cardboard separately to other recyclables.
This follows the Council’s Waste Disposal Strategy, covering the period 2017-2035, which aims to ensure the county’s waste is disposed of, recycled or reused in the most efficient and environmentally friendly way.
Sian Farrell, Business Development and Contract Manager for DS Smith’s Recycling Division said: “We are delighted to start a new recycling partnership with Kent County Council and are looking forward to working with them to reduce waste and increase recycling.
“Our innovative solutions, closed-loop model and account management will help to further reduce contamination, improve quality and ultimately push recycling rates even higher in the region.”
David Beaver, for Kent County Council, added: “Our partnership with DS Smith to provide recycling services for our paper and cardboard will support our efforts towards reaching our recycling targets.
“This is a new and exciting venture where we look forward to establishing a relationship with the Kemsley Paper Mill to improve Recycling in Kent.
“Its expertise in recycling and the location of the site within Kent County was an important factor in investing in this new partnership.
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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.