Sharp differences have emerged between a plastics trade group & a local government body over how to solve the growing shortage of recycled plastics in the UK supply chain. The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has flagged up fears over an ever-dwindling supply of usable waste plastic & challenged the wisdom of burgeoning used-material exports in the face of growing recyclate demand in the UK. BPFs recycling group urged local government authorities to verify the final destination of their waste streams. Collectors should also be forced to compile data on end markets as a condition of all Material Reclamation Facility (MRF) contracts. Group chairman Roger Baynham called on central government to tighten up rules on waste plastics exports, much of which goes to China. But the Local Government Association hit back & called on the BPF to join it in urging plastic manufacturers to produce higher quality material that was easier to recycle. Clyde Loakes, the body's Environment Board Vice Chairman, warned that introducing legislation curtailing councils' right to find the best deals on global markets risked pushing up costs for local governments, which were already under intense financial pressure. The BPF recycling chief said demand for raw materials was increasing as the UK recovered from the global recession but that a lack of regulation on the export issue threatened to restrict the upswing. The situation was already "fraught" he said. To read this story in full, please visit: www.foodproductiondaily.com
