Parliamentary Launch of Campaign for Real Recycling
 Jessica Morden MP (Labour, Newport East) yesterday (Tuesday) morning welcomed the advent of the CRR and called upon fellow MPs of all parties to support it.
At the event she signalled plans to put forward a Parliamentary Early Day Motion (EDM), calling for research that will help the UK better understand the contribution quality material collections can make to bringing down the cost of household recycling.
Speaking outside the offices of Defra and the Local Government Association, Jessica Morden said: "I am very happy to support the Campaign for Real Recycling which calls for local authorities and central government, the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament to examine recycling collection processes and look at the quality of materials resulting from these. There is some evidence to suggest that some collection modes, such as separation at the kerbside results in better materials and therefore obtains better market prices. Some of the more expensive collection options involve commingling of materials, which causes contamination and lowers the value.
"Just a year ago I took an adjournment debate in the House of Commons to which Ben Bradshaw replied. The aim of that debate was highlight community-managed enterprises like Wastesavers in my constituency in Newport East, which in agreement with the council runs a very efficient source separation kerbside recycling scheme costing £42/tonne with a diversion rate of 21% and rising. This has proved a very low cost option for the council, partly due to the value gained through the high quality of the recyclables collected. I have lived in other areas where you put all your recycling into one bag and all the materials become contaminated, which makes it a more expensive option. What I am asking today is for us to look more closely at source separated schemes. I congratulate Wastesavers, ECT Recycling and other third sector recycling experts.
"I ask all MPs to support this campaign and to look at recycling costs and quality in their constituencies. I will get in touch with the ministers to ask for a fuller assessment of recycling in this country, both in terms of cost and quality and what is being recycled, so that we can carry on recycling as effectively as possible."
The CRR urges MPs to think about recycling material quality and collection costs, using the opportunity of the CLG Select Committee inquiry into refuse collection. The CRR contends that commingled household recycling collections cost more than source-separation collections and result in poorer quality materials for reprocessing, and that prudent local authorities should be trying to maximise revenue from the materials they are gathering. Many are mixing and compacting and delivering materials of low economic and environmental value. The CRR suggests that this makes recycling look expensive when in fact it is the low cost option, and when done efficiently, could cost less than disposal. Moreover, good materials are being spoiled at a time when UK-based reprocessors are having difficulty sourcing feedstock of the right quality in the UK.
More Info: Andy Moore on 07767 206001 or Phil Hurst on 07708 423005
Notes to Editors:
1. The Campaign for Real Recycling wants central government and local authorities to act urgently to improve the quality of materials collected for recycling in the UK. Real recycling is about maximising the economic, environmental and social benefits of recycling for everyone, from the local council tax payer to the global re-processing industry. Our concern is that collection systems that gather a range of different materials in one bag or bin and then compact them could permanently undermine the environmental and financial benefits of recycling. Our campaign aims to influence local authority policy and practice, and build consensus within the UK of the economic and environmental importance of highly separated collections.
2. CLG Select Committee Brief:
http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/clg/clg_200607_pn21.cfm |
