The monthly packaging waste data for August has provided further confidence that recycling targets for 2020 will be met.
The latest figures, released by the Environment Agency on the NPWD on the 10 September, report on the amount of packaging waste that has been recycled or exported between 10 August to 10 September 2020. Despite some materials reporting a fall in production, overall the data continues to show healthy progress towards the UK’s annual obligation.
At 121,093 tonnes, plastic had its strongest production of any month this year and is now just over 79% of the requirement for the year when carry over is factored in. Paper also had a very positive month, with 30% increase compared to its 2019 production. This increase is particularly welcome, as a strong surplus will help to contribute to the general recycling obligation.
Aluminium reported a 10 percent fall in production compared to the same month in 2019. With this period being one of its weaker months of the year at 8,822 tonnes. However, the strength of production already this year means that aluminium is at almost 84% of requirement and so there is high confidence that the annual requirement will be met before December even if we have weaker production for the remainder of the year.
At 27,331 tonnes, glass other also reported lower production numbers in August, and glass remelt mirrored a lower report for August. There is, however, potential for this to be increased with additional tonnage reported in next month’s figures.
