PRAG takes first step towards standardised waste collection

PRAG’s working group on local authorities is hoping to assess the possibility of introducing up to six variants for waste collection in the UK. It is calling on local authorities to evaluate them against various criteria, such as cost effectiveness, ease of use and flexibility.

Retailers, consumers and packaging industry alike have called for greater standardisation, often citing other European countries as examples.

Jane Bickerstaffe, director of the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (Incpen), welcomed greater standardisation but said it was important to recognise that “collections in a high rise block of flats would naturally be different than in a rural suburb”.

“We’re making a lot of noise about standardisation, but most people only live in one house and they can get used to their local authorities’ method. That said, we do need a basic service that works for everyone and everyone can understand.”

PRAG has been set up to improve the quality and quantity of packaging waste collected from the waste stream. It is divided into four working groups – finance, packaging design, communications and local authority collections.

Alice Roberts of the Local Government Association, who chairs the working group, said the discussions were necessary because there was “likely to be a need for financial contribution to councils to extend or change existing recycling systems”.

The deadline for submissions is 28 August, and the questionnaire for local authorities can be viewed here.

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Overview of schemes under consultation
· Kerbside sorting
· Comingled collection for sorting at MRF
· Comingled collection for sorting at MRF with some sorting by households via a separate container for glass or paper and card

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