A new look at waste and producer responsibility for recycling
July 02, 2021The need to recycle to reduce waste is an especially pressing issue in terms of packaging. Many products come with large amounts of, typically unrecyclable, packaging that is generating a waste problem. The issue spans the consumables market, affects products ranging from foodstuffs to takeout coffee and is an ongoing stumbling block in terms of litter and landfill. In a recent article for ENDS Report magazine, Andrew Sowerby, Senior Waste Management Consultant at RSK Environment, discussed the importance of producers taking responsibility for the waste their products generate. A consultation was launched in April this year to advise on a new and reformed extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme in the UK.
This new consultation, which closed on 4 June, aimed to โdefine key elements of the proposed schemeโ, including cost, obligations, governance and regulation. The existing EPR scheme, introduced in the UK in 1997, is now outdated and insufficient to contend with the scale of the problem almost 25 years later. The proposed policy aims to make โpackaging producers responsible for the full net costs of managingโ the packaging they place on products that reach the market. This takes the cost away from taxpayers and waste management contractors. Intended to โencourage producers to questionโ whether the product packaging is necessary and appropriately recyclable, the scheme transfers more responsibility for the waste created back to the producer. The EPR sets targets for the recycling of the โsix main packaging materialsโ that are most commonly used: paper, glass, aluminium, steel, plastic and wood. It is envisaged that new targets will be introduced to take into account the growing use of materials such as composites for cartons and some paper cups.
The proposed new scheme is expected to drastically increase the commitment made by producers by lowering the thresholds on turnover and the amount of packaging handled annually to require more businesses to register. The new scheme is expected to cost producers ยฃ2.7 billion in its first year, a significant increase on the current costs of ยฃ200โ300 million per year. The increased cost to producers will be a reflection of the increase in the associated costs of the materials used in packaging.
Subscribers to ENDS Report can read Andrewโs article in full online.
๐ณ๏ธโ๐ RSK is proud to stand alongside members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
๐ People deserve to be their authentic selves and love freely without fear.
You can read Graeme and Abigail's full stories next week in RSK insights. Keep an eye on our social media for more information.
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๐ธ #selfiesonsite ๐คณ
Ryan Dunderdale, Senior Surveyor at Central Alliance, providing technical support and on-site training to datum plate install teams down in Bristol.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
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๐ In the June edition of our #employeespotlight, we spoke with with Rosie Pearce at Stephenson Halliday and Carmen Snowdon at WRc Group to find out about their recent achievements ๐
๐ Congratulations to you both!
Click the link in our bio to find out more!
#rskfamily #employeeapprecitation #team #landscapeinstitute #instituteofwater #architecture
"If you donโt feel valued, represented and respected in your workplace, then inevitably your #wellbeing will suffer.โ
๐ In our latest edition of #ADayInTheLife, we spoke with Ellen Lapworth-Maisey, Wellbeing, #Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at RSK โ a fascinating position that helps to create an inclusive and empowering #culture for all RSK staff.
Click the link in bio to learn more!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #diversity #inclusion #mentalhealth
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Some pictures of the Envireau Water staff on site.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
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๐ถ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐
#RSKSteps came to an end on Tuesday 31 May after a month of stepping adventures.
๐๐ป ๐ป๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐:
โ๏ธ1449 participants
โ๏ธ332,268,416 steps
โ๏ธยฃ1500 raised for our chosen charity, MIND!
Read more about this fantastic challenge in our bio!
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#RSKEvents
๐ Join Dirk Van Look and Chris Hughes on our webinar all about #PFAS โ perfluoroalkyl substances, which are both human-made and known to be harmful to humans.
๐ก We will showcase real-life examples to demonstrate how RSK is responding and developing capabilities to assess these emerging #contaminants.
Find out more and register now in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #PFAScontaminants #foreverchemicals #chemicals
๐ In light of #PrideMonth, we are sharing information about how to become a better ally. #Pride offers a sense of solidarity and a platform for expression.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming posts!
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๐ข RSK is pleased to announce it has further expanded its presence in Ireland by acquiring one of the most reputable tree care companies in the country.
๐ณ Dermot Casey Tree Care was founded in the 1970s by Managing Director Dermot Casey and is one of the most highly regarded tree surgery companies in Ireland, with more than 50 years of experience.
Find out more in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #treecare #landscape #treesurgery #landscaping #nature