The provisional packaging recycling and export data for Q3 has been published on the National Packaging Waste Database (NPWD), reporting the amount of packaging waste recycled or exported between July and September 2018.
Clarity Environmental’s Business Development Executive, Ed Ewence, commented on the data:
“The Q3 data is crucial in calculating how the UK is performing against its recycling targets, providing a good indication of how the figures might reflect in the price of PRNs in the final quarter of the year.
“Paper had its strongest quarter of the year and now sits at 99% of its target when carryover is taken into account, indicating that it will significantly contribute to the 2018 General Recycling target. Surplus steel also looks critical for this year. Already reaching its production target for 2018, and with a number of large reprocessors/exporters yet to report their Q3 production, we expect this to rise further still.
“Plastic production has dropped from Q2, reporting its lowest quarter this year, but we expect to see an increase when the verified data is released. As it stands, 241,117 tonnes of plastic has been reported in Q3 which now puts the grade at 80% of the target when carryover is included.
“Plastic is at its highest price-point of the year and with production relatively strong, many packaging producers are holding off from buying in the expectation that the cost will come down. However, with the recent news that the EA is investigating possible plastic fraud, this could well be the most volatile grade going into the next quarter.
“One grade that continues to feel the pressure is wood. Wood PRNs have continued to increase in price throughout Q3 and are at its highest point of the year. Q4 is historically slow for production due to the higher demand for heat generation, and given these latest figures, it remains touch and go as to whether wood will meet its target. To counteract this, the higher prices are encouraging reprocessors and exporters to find new routes to evidence.”
Clarity has been buying and selling packaging recovery notes (PRNs) since our business started in 2002. We are now one of the largest and most experienced open market traders of PRNs. To talk to our team about buying or selling any grade of packaging recovery note (PRN), contact us on 0845 129 7177.
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