Newly released packaging data for Q2 has suggested that a difficult second half of the year is likely for glass, plastics and steel. The UK may face heavy fines if it fails to meet EU packaging targets by the end of the year
Newly released packaging data for Q2 has suggested that a difficult second half of the year is likely for glass, plastics and steel. The UK may face heavy fines if it fails to meet EU packaging targets by the end of the year. To meet its targets, glass required an average of 410,079 tonnes returned per quarter after the December 2011 carry over is taken into account, but the second quarter figures revealed a very low 349,231 tonnes were collected following 379,463 in Q1. This means that 968,894 tonnes are required in the second half of the year. (or 484,447 per quarter)
Plastics also faces a difficult challenge with only 135,170 tonnes collected for recycling in Q2 following 127,038 in Q1. This means to meet the target of 601,023 (or 144,777 per quarter for the year), then 338,815 will be needed in the second half, which averages at 169,407.5 per quarter. Steel may also be tight with only 75,013 tonnes collected compared to the 82,646 tonnes per quarter needed. However, steel benefitted from a strong Q1 with 92,565 collected. Speaking about the figures, Environment Exchange senior market operator Ian Andrews said: “Overall the weak Q2 data reflects a drop in the amount of waste being collected, falling commodity prices and a significant fall in export demand.”