In the letter, the Department revealed that new EU End of Waste Criteria for iron, steel and aluminium scrap would mean that scrap metal could cease to be waste before it reaches those reprocessors or exporters currently accredited to issue PRNs.
This, the department said, would mean that companies lower down the supply chain could qualify to issue PRNs, when the changes came into effect in 2012 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Responding to this, the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) urged Defra to maintain the existing Packaging Recovery Notes (PRN) system when it is implementing the new EU End of Waste regulations. Alupro is a not-for-profit company which represents the leading aluminium packaging producers.
Alupro executive director Rick Hindley said: “We support the objectives of the End of Waste criteria and have been monitoring their development. Throughout the process we were reassured by Defra that they would not impact on the Packaging Regulations – and specifically the point in the process at which PRNs are issued.
“It is now clear from Defra’s consultation statement that the position on this issue has changed and Alupro is concerned that the proposed changes could damage the integrity of the PRN system. Ultimately, this would result in the UK failing to be able to demonstrate its achievement of EU metals recycling targets.”
Mr Hindley added that Alupro and other key players representing the wider metal packaging sector were in dialogue with Defra to look at the potential impact of the proposed changes.
“We will continue to do so and will respond to the planned consultation in due course”, he said
