A consortium of leading environmental and packaging producer compliance schemes will today (20 September) announce the launch of a new Packaging Scheme Forum (PSF) as the industry prepares for long-awaited reforms to its existing producer obligations.
Established by 45 registered UK packaging compliance schemes, the PSF will seek to foster open and collaborative dialogue between industry bodies and government.
The primary objectives of the PSF will be to help improve packaging regulation and enforcement in the UK by providing valuable insight, guidance and feedback on the existing Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations.
PSF members represent 97% of producers registered with compliance schemes within the UK. Included in this mix are producers from the automotive, chemical manufacturing, engineering, food and drink manufacturing, apparel, sports and leisure, medical and retail sectors.
“The members of this newly formed PSF have considerable expertise from operating with the existing Packaging Waste Regulations. We look forward to working collaboratively with Government so the best results for the UK’s industry, producers and our environment are secured.”
As compliance schemes, members of the PSF will advise their customers on the UK’s recovery and recycling obligations. The group is collectively responsible for ensuring over 7m tonnes of packaging waste is recycled each year.
Robbie Staniforth, Chair of the PSF and Policy Manager at compliance scheme Ecosurety says: “It has been encouraging to witness the recent surge in interest in the UK’s existing packaging regulations and we welcome all efforts being made by Government to review the existing system.
“The members of this newly formed PSF have considerable expertise from operating with the existing Packaging Waste Regulations. We look forward to working collaboratively with Government so the best results for the UK’s industry, producers and our environment are secured.”
The Packaging Scheme Forum is a collective of 45 packaging producer compliance schemes in the UK. (There are 50 schemes in total). Following numerous meetings through 2018, its first official meeting was held on Thursday 13th September 2018 in Birmingham, which key representatives from Defra attended.
Currently chaired by Robbie Staniforth, the scheme hopes to create an open, collaborative relationship between its members and government agencies.