PRN OFFSET IDEA GAINS MOMENTUM AS INDUSTRY ACKNOWLEDGES ECONOMIC & ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
PRN Offset will stimulate economic growth and provide a sustainable business model for the plastic recycling industry. That’s the 2014 message that Chris Dow from Closed Loop Recycling is giving key influencers in the industry.
Pioneering plastic recycler Closed Loop Recycling has welcomed the latest commitment by key industry organisations to look at reform of the outdated PRN system in favour of a PRN Offset. The British Plastics Federation has announced its own review of the PRN system and is currently looking into the viability of the proposed PRN Offset model.
Labour MP and APSRG co-chair Alan Whitehead welcomes this development and has also offered his support for a PRN Offset which he sees as a natural extension of his original ‘Renewable Content Obligation’ proposal. This policy called for a requirement for some packaging, such as plastic bottles, to contain a minimal level of recycled material by law.
Commenting on the PRN Offset concept, Alan Whitehead said: “Retailers and packaging manufacturers have a responsibility to the public and the environment to do all they can to sustain the life of the packaging they produce, thus preventing thousands of tonnes of this resource ending up in landfill or being exported overseas. Incentivising brand owners and packaging companies to use recycled content is nothing short of essential if we are to operate to a circular economy.
“However, current UK legislation does nothing to encourage the use of recycled content in packaging. It’s clear that this needs to change. I fully support the idea of a PRN Offset which rewards those retailers who use UK recyclate in their packaging. It makes sound sense both environmentally and economically.”
Chris Dow added: “We’re delighted that Alan and others in the industry are backing a PRN Offset model and have chosen to support our call for a review of the PRN system in favour of incentivising UK brands and packaging companies to use recycled content. Alongside others in the industry, we are continuing to raise this important issue in order to guarantee the future of the UK recycling industry and solve a huge environmental issue.”
For more information, please contact:
Louise Barnett: louise@intelligentprofile.com / 07713 742685
Emma Cantrill: emma@intelligentprofile.com / 07788 757377
