Good news as new UK universal recycling label launched
Last updated 04/04/2009 10:38:07
new UK universal recycling label launched
Several leading UK retailers and manufacturers including Waitrose, Asda, Rachel's Organics and the Co-operative Group have signed-up to commit to a universal on-pack recycling label with standardised information on whether packaging can be recycled.
The aim is to have 60 companies signed up to the label in the first year.
The initiative builds on retailers' existing green commitments with the intention to boost UK household recycling rates by giving customers the information they need to ensure more of the material that can be recycled is recycled. The single, industry-supported, label replaces the potentially confusing range of symbols previously used.
The scheme will be operated by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) under a company called OPRL (On-pack Recycling Label) Limited. WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) will monitor changes in local authorities' recycling capabilities which will determine the labelling category each packaging materials fall into.
Stephen Robertson, British Retail Consortium director general, said: "Customer confusion is the biggest barrier to improving recycling rates. Replacing a potentially confusing array of symbols and messages with a single, standardised logo will help customers recycle more of what can be recycled".
The new on-pack recycling label will have three categories depending on how likely it is that a customer's local authority will accept specific packaging materials for recycling:
- Widely recycled: This means 65 per cent or more of local authorities collect that packaging type in their area.
- Check local recycling: this means 15 per cent to 65 per cent of local authorities collect that packaging type in their area.
- Not currently recycled: this means less than 15 per cent of local authorities collect that packaging type in their area.
UK Environment Minister Jane Kennedy felt that the new recycling labels would make it easier for consumers to know what can be recycled and could help to recycle more.
Robertson added: "Retailers have taken the lead in developing this new recycling label because they recognise their relationship with customers means they are uniquely placed to help people do the right thing".
Liz Goodwin, WRAP chief executive, added: "This development improves the recycling information on-pack and addresses the question that many consumers ask ‘what can be recycled here in the UK?' As the UK's infrastructure improves, the labels on-pack can reflect this, helping us all recycle more things more often".
www.oprl.org.uk or www.onpackrecyclinglabel.org.uk