Campaign launches 4 point political challenge

Published by phil hurst for Campaign for Real Recycling in Local Government and also in Central Government, Environment

The Campaign for Real Recycling has launched a four point action list challenging the future government to take a lead on UK recycling.

In an open letter to the major political parties, the Campaign is calling on the next government to implement;
1. Proper monitoring of the recycling collection and sorting process to record contamination so that it can be reduced;
2. Submit a parliamentary bill to require the publishing of an end use register so that people know where their recycled materials end up;
3. Proper analysis of the carbon footprint of recycling systems;
4. Encouraging closed loop recycling of glass.

Phil Hurst of the Campaign for Real Recycling said: “Measuring what is collected as the sole indication of what is actually reprocessed is misleading. It’s a bit like going to a petrol station and paying for the fuel that passes the pump’s flowmeter , but the hose after the meter has so many holes in it that you lose a significant amount of the fuel before it gets into your tank. Most of us would find that unsatisfactory so why is it acceptable in fully co-mingled recycling collection systems?”

1. Proper monitoring of materials contamination

The problem: At present records of reject materials are haphazard, prone to under reporting from collection bodies and no account is taken of materials rejected by material recycling facility (MRF) operations or re-processors.

A solution: Ensure that the monitoring system of recycling activities is tightened by:

1. Making reporting and the publishing of residual and reject tonnages of individual materials collected a legal requirement for local authorities.
2. Discount all reject material tonnages from recycling figures recorded on Waste Data Flow
3. DEFRA to publish a “dry recycling rate” record of local authority performance separately from the current recycling and composting records.

2. Councils to publish an End Destination Register for materials

The problem: Mixed messages and media coverage of materials being dumped in developing countries have undermined public confidence that their materials are being recycled properly.

A solution: Ensure that every local authority publishes an end use register of materials collected.
The end user is defined as the point where materials are handed over to a materials re-processor (as opposed to a shipment or collection agency). The legislation would in turn require collection and sorting companies to provide this information to their clients in a standardized system agreed with the reprocessing industry representative bodies.

3. Proper analysis of the carbon impacts of recycling

The problem: Current carbon impact guidance for local authorities fails to provide a scientifically valid measure of the impacts of their recycling activities. Local authorities lack access to authoritative information on the carbon implications of different collection and recycling options.

A solution: Provide clear and standardized guidance for local authority indicators on the carbon implications of typical kerbside recycling practices. These need to include life cycle analysis of materials collected taking into account the full carbon impact of sorting as well as collecting and distributing materials.

4. Give priority to closed loop glass recycling

The problem: Scientific research indicates that the collection, sorting and distribution of glass as a aggregate for road actually creates carbon rather than saves it. Other uses of glass, particularly for container remanufacture, reduce the carbon footprint of glass use.

A solution: Introduce legislation to encourage a closed loop recycling system where recycled glass (cullet) is used primarily for the manufacture of bottles and jars on carbon savings grounds.