Sustainable packaging solutions

A new Packaging Decree came into force in the Netherlands in 2006 in order to address extended producer responsibility. The packaging industry now has to compensate local authorities for the costs of collecting and recycling consumer packaging.

In addition, a packaging Ecotax was introduced and became effective from January 2008. It is linked to the embodied CO₂ emissions in the various packaging materials. The Ecotax and the costs of extended producer responsibility have been combined in one levy on all packaging materials.

Steel packaging has a relatively low levy thanks to its high recycling rate

CSPR recognises the importance of recycling in the carbon economy, and is committed to increasing the already high recycling rate for steel in the UK. By investing PRN funds in local authority collection systems, waste management companies and private can collectors, we increased our steel can recycling in 2007 by 15,000 tonnes (compared to 2006) to over 108,000 tonnes across the UK. Infrastructure projects included the provision of can balers, can flatteners and sorters, can banks and conveying systems. The priority for CSPR in 2008 and beyond is the collection of packaging steels from centralised waste treatment systems in the UK, which could yield over 150,000 tonnes of additional material over the next five years.

CSPR has continued its active role in education. In 2007/08 we undertook 25 schools visits to spread the recycling message and www.scrib.org, our recycling education website, is proving both a popular and practical resource for teachers and students alike.