Environment minister: ‘recycling prices will recover’

Benn told members of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) that it was “self evident” that the current weak market for recovered materials was going to be a short term problem due to the need for those materials.

“One of the issues we are facing is that it takes a long time to get consumers into recycling,” said Benn. “I think one of the most depressing things for them is to see that they are not being used.”

He also highlighted the fact that some countries have already started to mine landfills for useful materials, adding that “we’ll be doing more of that in the future”.

Benn was speaking as the FDF gave a one-year progress report on its Five-Fold Environmental Ambition, which he helped to launch in October 2007.

He praised the FDF for its initiative, through which a number of high-profile food producers have been working to cut their

Nestlé UK was identified alongside United Biscuits, PepsiCo and more for its work in reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill.

The company has reduced its landfilling of surplus food and its packaging by about 95% between 2005 and 2006, and its disposal costs by about 40%.

Walkers Crisps was also highlighted for its work in carbon footprinting at a time when the economy is difficult.

“Although it may seem difficult the first time you analyse a product or a service, it does get easier,” said Benn. “Once you’ve done cheese and onion, salt and vinegar might not be so difficult.”

Presenting its findings last night, the FDF also announced that four members – ABF, Apetito, British Pepper and Spice and UIN Foods – have joined the Courtauld Commitment.

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