Paper recycling ‘must not suffer’ from focus on other materials: CPI

In its response to Defra’s packaging strategy, launched last week, the organisation said that it would be unacceptable for the quality of paper recyclate, both for packaging and non-packaging, to suffer from efforts to achieve higher rates for plastics, metals and glass.

Andrew Barnetson, CPI corrugated sector manager, said that although it was right that Defra should push for higher recycling rates across the board, “it will be a challenge to prevent this from impacting negatively on paper recycling as a whole”.

“It would not be acceptable or efficient if the paper recycling industry ended up having to deal with a poorer quality raw material simply to ensure other materials raised their recycling performance.”

The CPI welcomed, however, the strategy’s recognition of paper packaging’s high recycling rates and noted that for much of the 83-page report, corrugated packaging was “conspicuous by its absence”.

Barnetson’s comments are the latest in a mixed set of reactions from the industry to the report, which was published last week.

Click here now to read more reactions to the strategy and to download the document

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