The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN) are working with packaging compliance company Valpak to update the PackFlow material reports in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The PackFlow reports are designed to ascertain and quantify how much packaging is placed on the UK market and is then recycled. The reports cover glass, metal, paper, plastic and wood, reports for all of which will be updated as part of the process.
The review also aims to establish the impact of Covid-19 on the packaging supply chain, from packaging producers obligated under the Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) system, including manufacturers, packers, retailers and brands, to households and the collection and recycling of packaging carried out by local authorities and commercial waste management companies.
With support from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), stakeholders from across the supply chain will be consulted, as well as consultation with the devolved administrations and their associated bodies, the Advisory Committee on Packaging (ACP), materials sector bodies, the Compliance Scheme Forum and obligated producers.
It is envisaged that the project will be completed by the end of August 2020 to enable the findings to be fed into ongoing work by the UK Government and the ACP on PRN system issues, which includes the need to set business recycling targets for the five materials in 2021 and 2022.
Read more: How will Covid-19 affect producer responsibility in 2020?
Commenting on the decision to update the reports, WRAP Director Peter Maddox, said: “The availability of accurate and up-to-date information is vital to inform the target-setting process. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who takes the time to contribute to the review. Widespread participation across all stakeholders is the only way to develop a true picture of these markets, and the potential impact of the way that businesses operate and citizens live their lives.”
Paul Vanston, CEO at INCPEN, said: “The impacts of Covid-19 on our communities are tragic and far-reaching. While a sense of perspective is needed in terms of focusing on such things as the PRN system, we do nonetheless need to understand the impacts of Covid-19 on the operations of obligated producers and the knock-on consequences for 2021 and 2022. I’m reassured that this PackFlow review will help smooth the way in very challenging times.”
James Skidmore, Head of Consulting at Valpak, added: “Valpak Consulting is delighted to be helping businesses navigate through this unprecedented situation and is working closely with our partners INCPEN, WRAP and wider industry stakeholders.”
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