The Recycling Association

Heritage House, Vicar Lane, Daventry, NN11 4GD

Tel: +44 (0) 1327 703223 Fax: +44 (0) 1327 300612

Email: simon.ellin@iwppa.co.uk

Website:www.therecyclingassociation.com

Press release

THE RECYCLING ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS AIMS OF MOST OF ENVIRONMENT BILL

Publication of the Environment Bill has been welcomed by The Recycling Association, although it warns a ban on plastic exports could prove harmful.

The Recycling Association chief executive Simon Ellin said: "It is great to see that the Environment Bill has been brought before Parliament. There is much in the Bill that is positive.

"This includes measures to require producers to take more responsibility for the recycling of what they place on the market and a consistent approach to recycling by local authorities.

"We have been campaigning for over three years now that we need to put quality first, and these measures will help create a better environment for quality recycling.

"However, I am concerned about the introduction of a power to ban the export of plastic to developing countries. There are already strict rules in place on recycled plastic exports via the Basel Convention and the rules that the countries importing the plastics have introduced.

"What we need is better enforcement of those regulations by funding the UK environment agencies sufficiently to catch those who are breaking the rules. Those who trade legitimately should not be penalised by the actions of a few bad apples. That is why The Recycling Association is investing in its blockchain technology to track all exports to compliant, and audited end destinations.

"We aim to assist the agencies in our common compliance goals and it is this partnership approach to finding solutions that is a far better and more sustainable option than blanket bans.

"For developing countries, importing plastics can be a way of supporting their economies by giving them cheap commodities to support their manufacturing industries. It should be up to them to decide whether they wish to take our materials, and up to us to ensure we meet their specifications for those commodities if they do.

"However, there is a lot to be optimistic about in the Environment Bill, and overall it is a step in the right direction."

 For more information, contact: The Recycling Association chief executive Simon Ellin on 07970 549 536 or Paul Sanderson at Hanicke Robins Sanderson on 0774 778 5980