Press Statement 
23 July 2018 

NAO packaging report underlines the need for change, says CIWM

Commenting on the National Audit Office report ‘The packaging recycling obligations’ published today, CIWM Chief Executive Dr Colin Church said:

“The issues covered in the NAO report will not come as a surprise to the sector but this robust assessment reinforces the need for significant change,” said Dr Colin Church. “The current system might be hitting the targets and contributing to increased packaging recycling, but there are underlying problems to be tackled. We know that waste crime is on the rise and enforcement levels are often inadequate, we know there are material quality concerns that must be addressed, and we know that the UK needs to do more to reprocess its material here rather than relying so much on other countries, not least because of the fragility of those markets – as China has amply demonstrated. 
 
“What we urgently need now in the forthcoming resource and waste strategy is a more robustly monitored system that incentivises smarter design to minimise packaging and increase recyclability and resource productivity; that provides adequate funding for high quality collections of household packaging; and that supports the development of more domestic reprocessing capacity. Secondary materials will continue to move abroad to meet market demand but should do so as quality recyclate, not as poorly sorted waste. In parallel, the Government urgently needs to improve materials and market flow data to enable it assess – through the Industrial Strategy and related policies – how to realise more of the value of these materials for our own economy. 

The NAO report can be found here

ENDS

Notes to Editors: 
1. CIWM is the leading professional body for the resource and waste management sector representing around 5,500 individuals in the UK, Ireland and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non-profit making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues. More information can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk

Press contact:
Pat Jennings
Head of Policy & Communications
Tel: 01604 620426 
Mob: 07912 228260 
E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk