Page 38 - Plastics News February 2021

internAtionAL news

UK Deposit Return Scheme could Nanaimo city to ban SUP wins

cause “tidal wave of plastic” provincial approval

lastic packaging could anadian city Nanaimo has secured provincial
P“dominate” supermarket Capproval for its Checkout Bag Regulation Bylaw
shelves with the introduction of 2020 No 7283. The British Columbia government
a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in has approved single-use plastics bans in four more
the UK, according to new findings communities. Surrey, Nanaimo, Rossland and Esquimalt
from the Aluminium Packaging are the latest municipalities to implement bans
Recycling Organisation (Alupro) based on their particular needs. Surrey, Nanaimo,
produced in collaboration with Rossland and Esquimalt are the latest municipalities to
think-tank London Economics implement bans based on their particular needs. The
and experts across the UK province approved similar bylaws in Victoria, Richmond,
packaging sector. Alupro has Saanich, Tofino and Ucluelet last September to prevent
said that the new flat-rate DRS, waste such as shopping bags and takeout containers
set to come into force in England, Wales, and Northern from ending up in landfills and the ocean. Environment
Ireland in 2023, will cause supermarkets to replace Minister George Heyman says B.C. continues to work on
billions of beverage cans with plastic packaging, causing regulations allowing local governments to place bans
60% of consumers to switch from recyclable aluminium on single-use plastics without the need for provincial
cans to plastic bottles. Alupro executive director Rick approval.The Bylaw aims to eliminate plastic bags
Hindley said: “While we are fully supportive of a well- usage and advance the use of reusable bags.In addition,
designed DRS, research surrounding best practice design the new law requires paper bags to contain at least
is limited. Our report aims to fill the gap and provide 40% post-consumer recycled content and be labelled
extensive modelling into the real-world implications of as recyclable. The washable reusable bags should be
differing deposit fee options. The UK DRS scheme aims to capable of reuse at least 100 times. Users can obtain
tackle plastic pollution, increase recycling rates, improve paper bags and new reusable bags for a fee. The paper
recyclate quality, and minimise litter. The scheme, when bags will be offered at 15c, while reusable bags will
implemented, will see a deposit value added to the price
of beverage products in store. This deposit will then
be refunded to the customer when empty packaging is
returned for collection at a designated point. This type
of scheme is already underway in over 40 countries and
territories, including Norway, Sweden, Germany, and
Australia. Different countries have different models. The
scheme will use a flat-rate model, thereby applying a fixed
fee to all beverage containers. In a statement, Alupro
said: “This unsophisticated approach could see customers
charged an additional £4.80 for a 24-can multipack – on
top of product purchase price – compared to just 80p for
a two-litre plastic bottle, which research suggests would be sold for $1 at Nanaimo retailers. Following the
result in 60% of shoppers opting for larger, cheaper. but approval, the Bylaw is subject to final council adoption
much less sustainable plastic alternatives.” As well as and will come into effect from 1 July. The regulation
increasing plastic packaging usage, Alupro claimed that exempts bags for bulk foods and produce, wrap for
the flat rate scheme would result in demand for aluminium flowers, multi-packs of plastic bags and small paper
cans falling by 11%, meaning that the aluminium packaging bags. Additionally, the law will forbid the distribution
industry would see an annual production shortfall of 4.7 of compostable and biodegradable checkout bags. The
billion units. The threat of plant closures is also a cause city will start an education and awareness campaign
for concern. to help residents and businesses with the transition.

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