BRC/WRAP On-Pack Recycling Labelling Consultation
December 2007
FDF has submitted its response to proposals developed by the British Retail
Consortium (BRC) and its members in partnership with WRAP for a consistent
approach
to the provision of recycling information on consumer packaging across the
UK
retail sector.
It is widely acknowledged that the Government's waste reduction targets over the
coming year to meet obligations under the EU Landfill Directive will result in
increasing pressure to improve the current recycling rate. The BRC and WRAP
initiative is intended to provide a contribution to this goal. It is of course
a
key
part of FDF's recently launched environmental ambitions to “provide more advice
to
consumers on how best to recycle or otherwise recover used packaging.”
The intention of the BRC/WRAP proposals is to develop a consistent and easily
understood labelling methodology to be used both on retailer private label and
brand-owner packaging based on the WRAP Recycle Now 'swoosh'. This will be
accompanied by component and material descriptions along with one of three
recycling
categories depending on the level of recycling provision currently available
amongst
local authorities. The Scheme would be voluntary. Implementation would be
through a
phased approach by retailers and would be supplemented by a
retailer-led
promotional campaign.
At the end of June BRC wrote out to all respondeees to formally respond to
points raised in the consultation. Helpfully this addressess all of the main
issues
which were raised by FDF and/or these are reflected in the latest draft of the
guidelines produced by WRAP to accompany the scheme.
BRC proposes to set up a formal governance structure to oversee development of
the scheme and has offered FDF an opportunity to be a partner in this. FDF is
currently canvassing ENV members' intentions on using the labelling scheme in
order
to decide on the degree of support to lend this initiative.
More Information
Last reviewed: 08 Aug 2008