The average percentage (by weight) of target material received by responding materials facilities (MFs) in Q1 2017 was 86% for England and 88.5% for Wales. This shows a 0.1% increase for England and a 1.2% decrease for Wales compared to the previous quarter.
The lowest average percentage (by weight) of a specified target material in the output material streams is for plastic in England (90.3%), and glass for Wales (91.6%).
In England 88 facilities notified The Regulator (Environment Agency) in accordance with the Regulations for Jan-Mar 2017 and 83 submitted a quarterly data return. Of the 5 that did not make a submission, 2 had mitigating circumstances, and 1 has since made a submission but too late for this release. In Wales, 12 facilities notified The Regulator (Natural Resources Wales), and all 12 submitted data.
MF Input stream analysis: England
The waste supplied to the responding MFs in England was attributed directly to 198 local authorities (LAs) and 226 other suppliers (such as waste management companies or other waste.
The total tonnage of mixed material entering the MFs in Q1 2017 was 855,900 tonnes which is around 28,506 tonnes or 3.2% less than the previous quarter. The MFs provided data based on a total of 8,844 samples totalling around 628 tonnes.
MF Output stream analysis: England
The total tonnage of Specified Output Material (the responding MFs in Q1 2017) was 676,863 tonnes. This is an increase of 42,663 tonnes compared to the previous quarter, and the highest figure since reporting began in Q4 2014. The MFs provided data based on a total of 19,094 samples totalling 796 tonnes which shows a slight decrease from the last quarter.
MF Input stream analysis: Wales
The total tonnage of mixed material entering the MFs in Q1 2017 was 71,269 tonnes. All 12 of the notified facilities submitted data, although one site denotified during January 2017 and therefore had limited sampling data. 573 samples were taken which amounted to almost 51 tonnes.
The average percentage of target material received by responding MFs in Q1 2017 was 88.5%, which is a 1.2% decrease from the previous quarter (89.7%).
MF Output stream analysis: Wales
The total tonnage of SOM leaving the responding MFs in Q1 2017 was 55,124 tonnes which is 2,702 fewer tonnes than Q4 2016. All 12 notified facilities provided data, although one supplied limited sampling data.
Specified Output Material (SOM) produced by MFs contain some materials that are non-target and non-recyclable. The average percentage of target material in the outputs of responding MFs is 91.6% or higher for all of the four main SOM. The weighted mean average for paper has not changed since the last quarter (Q4). Glass has increased by 1.2% and plastic by 0.3%. Metal has seen a small decrease of 0.2%.
