Product producers’ use of packaging supplies has decreased since 2019, says a brand new report from environmental compliance scheme Valpak. And in 2021, extra plastic waste was recycled domestically than exported, for the primary time. However the image that emerges from profiling progress with particular supplies seems considerably combined.
An in depth snapshot of those and associated developments are supplied by the PackFlow 2023 stories, commissioned by WRAP. James Skidmore, Director of Consulting at Valpak, commented: “As we approach the full implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR), accurate data and baselines are more important than ever.”
He continued: “The reports, which are used by UK governments to inform packaging policy, also offer valuable insights into packaging market trends. For example, we can see that since 2011, UK domestic recycling of plastic packaging has increased steadily. In 2021, it exceeded the amount of plastic waste exported for the first time. The reports also show us that, since 2019, the amount of paper packaging placed on the market has increased relative to plastic packaging.”
Holding greater than 50 million SKUs, Valpak’s packaging and product database is the most important packaging information useful resource within the UK. The suite of six material-specific stories make use of this information to evaluate the state of the market in 2022. Along with calculating the quantity of packaging positioned in the marketplace and recycled, it particulars compliance projections to 2028 which, in preparation for pEPR, are additionally utilized by UK governments to tell choices on enterprise targets.
Adam Herriott, Senior Specialist at WRAP, mentioned: “WRAP is proud to have worked with Valpak on the PackFlow 2023 reports. These reports are crucial for government policy-making, providing the accurate data needed to shape future packaging regulations. Moreover, they inform much of WRAP’s work, including initiatives like the UK Plastics Pact, helping us to drive significant progress in reducing plastic waste and increasing recycling rates. The insights from these reports are essential for understanding market trends and making data-driven decisions that support a sustainable future.”
Materials-specific insights embody:
Paper and card
In comparison with earlier Valpak PackFlow stories in 2019 and 2017, paper and card POM has decreased. UK home recycling declined between 2004 and 2010, with modest will increase within the targets being met by export. The general upward development in export seems to have stabilised since 2017 (regardless of will increase within the targets), with export tonnages fluctuating since this time in a spread between 500–700k tonnes per quarter, and whole paper and card recycling in a spread of 850–1,000k tonnes per quarter. Paper and card packaging recycling targets have flat-lined.
Glass
The principle driver for whole glass packaging recycling is UK home recycling. Glass POM is down from 2019 and, since then, the extent of glass packaging recycling has risen steadily to fulfill modest year-to-year will increase in targets. Through the previous 5 years, whole glass packaging recycling has fluctuated in a spread round 350–500k tonnes per quarter. At round 17 per cent of whole recycling, on common, the quantities of glass packaging waste exported are small compared to UK home recycling.
Plastic
Plastic POM has fallen since Valpak’s stories in 2019 and 2017. A powerful upward development within the whole quantity of plastic packaging waste recycled over the interval 2004–2022 was pushed by will increase within the recycling targets. With UK home plastic packaging recycling static at round 50k tonnes per quarter till 2011, export of plastic packaging wastes has performed a key function in assembly the targets over a lot of this era. Nonetheless, since then, UK recycling of plastic packaging waste has elevated steadily and, in 2012, it exceeded the quantity of plastic waste exported for the primary time.
Aluminium
In comparison with 2019 and 2017, aluminium packaging positioned in the marketplace has elevated. Whereas there was a slight upward development in UK home recycling over the entire pattern interval, UK home recycling doesn’t look like trended since round 2012. Through the interval 2004–2015 recycling goal will increase have been largely met by will increase in UK home recycling of aluminium packaging. Since 2015, the state of affairs has reversed. UK home recycling has been broadly static, whereas the export of waste aluminium packaging has grown quickly. In 2018, it exceeded UK recycling in 2018, whereas in 2022, 64 per cent of aluminium packaging waste was exported, largely to Europe (Germany and Netherlands).
Metal
Metal POM has decreased in comparison with 2019 and 2017. Whereas there was substantial volatility within the quantities of metal packaging waste recycled both within the UK or exported over the interval 2004–2022, there was no robust indication of any developments.
Wooden
The quantity of wooden packaging positioned on the UK market was secure between 2019 and 2022, however increased in comparison with 2017. Between 2004 and 2008, an upward development was seen in whole recycling; this peaked at an annual tonnage of 940k tonnes and was adopted by a decline that continued to a low level in 2015. Since 2015, accredited wooden packaging recycling has continued to extend regardless of a drop in 2020. Enterprise targets noticed a sluggish improve between 2004 and 2009, earlier than stagnating till 2017. In 2018, targets noticed a dramatic improve to 48 per cent in 2020, earlier than dropping to 35 per cent in 2021 and stagnating.
To obtain the stories in full, go to: https://www.valpak.co.uk/?s=packflowpercent202023
