On-pack labelling organisation OPRL is launching a campaign that calls for the Government to legislate for a simple recycling design for packaging.
Its #MakeItEasy campaign launches on 8 September to ensure that the Government’s proposed mandatory recycling labelling does not lead to a free for all in labelling design that confuses customers and reduces effective recycling.
According to OPRL, current Government proposals in the Environment Bill would mean that any business or labelling scheme could decide what the label would look like, subject to an approval process.
Lord Teverson has put down an amendment to the Environment Bill, which aims to secure a unified approach to mandatory recycling labelling.
A coalition of businesses and organisations, including Biffa, Iceland, Kraft Heinz Northern Europe and others, are calling on the Government to support this amendment through the campaign for a simple packaging label.
OPRL executive chair Jane Bevis said: “As a purpose-driven organisation, we are committed to achieving the best environmental outcome by maximising recycling through clear and consistent, evidence-based labelling.
“We are happy to compete with other schemes in providing labelling services under Defra’s proposals, as we’ve built a solid reputation as a world-leading labelling scheme, but firmly believe all providers should supply the same label design – that’s the only way to support consumers in recycling effectively.
“A free for all with endless confusing variations of design would undermine the environmental objectives of EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) and would be a major setback.
“That’s why we are willing to share our label designs and the huge consumer recognition we’ve built up over the last 12 years with other providers.
“We’re passionate about driving transformational change in packaging resource efficiency as part of addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. We have got to #MakeItEasy for everyone to recycle well.”
A #MakeItEasy petition has been launched at https://www.change.org/MakeItEasy
