Research to establish the carbon footprints of different recyclate collection methods has been announced by the Campaign for real Recycling (CRR). The study, which will be carried out in partnership with WRAP, could influence the type of system local authorities choose in future. CRR chairman Mal Williams explained that the research was needed because the current information available to councils was "piecemeal." He added: "WRAP has a key role to play, with its understanding of lifecycle issues & recycling research." Novelis national manager Andy Doran said he was concerned that some councils would assume a carbon footprint only referred to how much fuel is used during a collection. "Transport may be the publically conspicuous aspect but it may also represent less than 1% of carbon emissions." "Oversimplified estimates" could lead to miscalculations being magnified once material had gone outside council boundaries. He also added that good quality material improves recycling's carbon benefits and, citing indicative analysis, said carbon emissions could be doubled by contamination.
