Courtauld 2 is ‘uncharted territory’, says Defra

Speaking at a recycling conference this week, Defra’s head of producer responsibility Judicaelle Hammond gave an update on part two of the Courtauld Commitment, which is to be based on a carbon metric as opposed to a weight measure and is due to be published in the coming weeks.

She said: “It is uncharted territory as it is the first time we have adopted a carbon-based metric. In time, we hope that the Commitment will cover products and their environmental impacts and performance.”

Wrap is currently working on the final elements of part two of the Courtauld Commitment, the voluntary agreement among retailers and brand owners which was first created in 2005 to reduce the overall weight of packaging produced.

Speaking at the Recycle-on-the-Go event, Hammond also revealed that the plans to improve visibility on PRN revenues would be set out in a consultation document to be launched in the coming weeks.

The measure is a response to concern from both local councils and packaging producers – including both packaging manufacturers and their clients – over ensuring that PRN revenues go to developing the recycling infrastructure.

She said: “Where the PRN money that producers give goes is of interest to the producers themselves, especially when they report back to a board and say they can see no tangible benefits.”

“The consultation includes means of ensuring more visibility as to where recycling money goes.”

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