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Though recycling has increased dramatically over recent years, PaperChain feels that the message on maintaining quality throughout the collection process has never been actively or effectively promoted to the public. PaperChain has serious concerns that with the huge increases in single stream (co-mingled) collections, particularly popular with Local Authority kerbside collection schemes, the UK is storing up long term market issues and failing to support the requirements of the reprocessor.

Single stream (co-mingled) collections of mixed dry recyclables carry higher risks to recovered paper quality, as the paper and board are exposed to other materials. Although material recovery facilities (MRFs) are able to segregate the material streams to a reasonable quality when they are running well, such facilities invariably end up generating recovered materials that are not up to the standards required for reprocessing without further sorting and cleaning.

PaperChain Chairman Martin Green said:

?PaperChain has been an active supporter of the 'Recycle Now' campaign but feels the '2007 Recycle Now Week' should be used to focus public sector attention on quality and sustainability, rather than to simply continue to promote increased collection levels. It has been great that the number of committed recyclers has risen significantly through the initial years of the campaign, but the recycling levels achieved, and increases going forward, must be sustainable with developing end markets, and this can only be achieved through effective quality management. The fantastic success in promoting recycling in initial years of the campaign will count for nothing if the material collected does not meet the needs of the re-processor and customer.?

He added:

?UK paper reprocessors are seeing some very poor quality recovered paper coming onto the market, and are unwilling to take the risk of using this material because of the negative impacts on the paper making process. The bottom line is that a paper mill cannot recycle tin cans, food, and plastics into new paper products. Poor quality is not sustainable recycling; it is unnecessary and avoidable waste. PaperChain has serious doubts as to the long term sustainability of recycling in the UK if the lack of focus on quality continues.?

It is hoped that the campaign message can be tailored to reflect some of PaperChain's concerns, and that full support can be re-established in 2008.

PaperChain is now a major sponsor of 'The Real Recycling Campaign', which has been created to promote debate and awareness of recycling best practice and segregated collection of recyclable materials.

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