Government & industry stakeholders release survey to review recyclability labelling
Have your say! The On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL), Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) need your help to assess potential impacts of Mandatory Labelling
This month (July 2019), DEFRA in partnership with OPRL and WRAP have released a survey to collect information on the potential costs for introducing mandatory recyclability labelling, the potential timescales and any practical challenges involved.
On-Pack Recyclability Label are a not for profit organisation who have managed a recyclability labelling system since 2009.
The aim of the labelling system is to readily inform consumers on how widely recycled different components of packaging actually are.
In the recent consultation on future extended producer responsibility reform, DEFRA suggested a potential system whereby all producers (businesses which place packaging on the UK market) are required to label their packaging with information on how to properly dispose of it, as well as noting whether or not it can be recycled.
This should clear up any confusion which currently hinders consumers recycling. With the help of an “approved list” of recyclable packaging, where items are either defined as “Recyclable” or “Not Recyclable”, consumers will then have the clarity and confidence to dispose of their waste effectively. In turn, this should increase consumer awareness on what is recyclable and therefore, boost the level of recycling in the UK. However, there is a risk that adding more symbols and labelling to packaging could increase confusion if there is not a uniform collection system.
Following on from this, the aforementioned survey has been launched by FRITH Resource Management for WRAP. The purpose of this survey is to gain opinions and experience from the industry on the potential impacts for introducing mandatory recyclability labelling.
Comply Direct strongly recommend that any business that handles packaging who have control of their pack format completes the survey to ensure that OPRL, WRAP and DEFRA have the maximum amount of information available.
You can provide a response to the survey by accessing this using the link below and the deadline for completion is Wednesday 7 August:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfOzXI9YiWGqlbol58RoI0eCj1YK1U9hDK1DXGluCO53fXonw/viewform
If you have any specific queries around how this new proposed system could affect your business as a packaging producer, please contact us and we’ll be happy to advise – packaging@complydirect.com