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NEWS STORY
RETAILERS PLAN INDUSTRY-WIDE RECYCLING LABEL
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| November 27, 2007 |
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Retailers are seizing the initiative and working to agree standardised recycling labeling for packaging as a way of encouraging customers to recycle and so help the Government achieve its waste reduction targets.
Retailers believe customers are increasingly frustrated that they do not know which packaging can be recycled. They are looking to replace the current, potentially confusing, range of symbols and messages with a single logo.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) have launched a consultation with Government, local authorities, manufacturers and retailers to make sure the scheme has widespread acceptance.
Previously, differences in local recycling regimes have thwarted efforts to produce universal recyclability labeling. The BRC is proposing packaging will be divided into three categories from ‘widely recycled' to ‘not currently recycled', depending on how likely it is a customer's local authority will accept the material.
British Retail Consortium Director General Kevin Hawkins said: "Retailers plan to have the new logo in use early in the New Year. That shows voluntary action can achieve more, and more quickly, than any legislation. Retailers recognise they are uniquely placed to change customers' behaviour and help the Government achieve its waste reduction targets. Ideally material that's recyclable in one area would be recyclable everywhere but, so far, it isn't.
Local inconsistencies cannot be allowed to thwart a standardised label which will help millions of customers and mean more of what can be recycled is collected."
Notes to Editors: The BRC and WRAP are proposing a logo which indicates three levels of recyclability for packaging:
Widely recycled – Recycled by 65 per cent or more of local authorities
Check locally – Recycled by 20 to 65 per cent of local authorities
Not currently recycled – Recycled by less than 20 per cent of local authorities
The full BRC/WRAP consultation document is available to journalists from the BRC press office
Retailers involved are:
Alliance Boots, ASDA, B&Q, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's Supermarkets, Tesco Supermarkets Ltd, The Co-Operative Group, Waitrose.
BRC (British Retail Consortium) is the UK's leading retail trade association. We represent the full range of retailers, from large multiples and department stores to small independents, selling all types of products through town-centre, out-of-town, rural and online stores.
WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) works in partnership to encourage and enable businesses and consumers to be more efficient in their use of materials and recycle more things more often. Established as a not-for-profit company in 2000, WRAP is backed by Government funding from Defra and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. More information on all of WRAP's programmes can be found at www.wrap.org.uk www.wrap.org.uk
Media Contacts: BRC Press Office 020 7854 8924 Out of hours 07921 605544
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