The first official packaging obligation data for the UK has been published by the Environment Agency on the National Packaging Waste Database (NPWD), along with the verified packaging recycling data for the first quarter of 2017.
The data shows the amount of packaging waste recycling that must be achieved in the 2017 compliance year for the UK to meet the required recycling targets. The figures are based on the volume of products that producers of packaging have placed onto the market in previous years.
The latest obligation data shows a reduction in the number of registered producers compared with 2016, with 7008 full producers in 2016 and 6675 in 2017. However, with some producers still expected to register their figures, this is subject to change. The latest obligation data suggests that the amount of packaging used in 2016 is likely to be in line with 2015 across all materials.
The Environment Agency has also just released the verified Q1 2017 recycling data, with the monthly breakdown. These figures have kept relatively in line with the provisional figures released last month. The figures have allayed some concern about the market conditions for plastic, with February figures for the material showing a strong increase.
Combined with the obligation data, the finalised Q1 data indicates that the UK remains on track to achieve its obligation in 2017. With paper at 34% and wood at 40% towards the 2017 target, these grades are making particularly good progress.
Chris Taylor, Commercial Manager for Clarity Environmental, said: “The verified Q1 Data is showing a comfortable position across the board and, as a result, PRN prices have remained steady with little movement this last month. The plastic market is still one to watch, however, with concerns remaining around China’s National Sword clampdown. Although we’re now seeing strong data, we have not yet seen much softening in PRN prices, and plastic PRNs remain in the high £40s.
“The Clarity team continues to experience a period of strong trading, with a 3% increase on trading in April compared to the same month in 2016.”
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.
