HC Deb 19 September 2002 vol 390 cc253-4W
David Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the capacity is in the United Kingdom for the reprocessing of(a) paper, (b) wood and (c) plastic. [69116]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) estimates that the UK capacity for the recycling of paper, wood and plastic is as follows:

Paper
Recycling Options 2001 est. (Kt)
Newsprint 1320
Packaging 2600
Other grades e.g. tissue Tbc
3920

Wood

Capacity and utilisation estimates for the UK. Sources: Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation (TIMCON), Wood Recyclers Assocation (WRA), Wood Panel Industries Federation (WPIF) and The Composting Association (TCA).

Recycling Options 2001 actual (Kt) Est. capacity 2002 (Kt)
Panel board manufacturing 675 750
Other mechanical recycling 30 50
Composting 65 80
770 930

Note:

The forecast capacities for 2002 are derived from current industry estimates that are based on prevailing economic circumstances and the availability of wood waste (predominantly packaging material) that is suitable for recycling. The actual infrastructure is capable of consuming more wood waste but its further uptake is constrained by economic and technical barriers.

Plastics

Capacity and utilisation estimates for the UK. Source British Plastic Federation (BPF)—Recycling Council (RC).

Recycling stages Capacity (Kt) Utilisation (Kt)
Washing 45 17
Shred/granulate 400 200
melt process 400 250

Note:

The utilisation level is subject to market conditions as virgin or other non recycled material can replace recycled material if it becomes cheap enough or availability of recycled drops off.

The figures are derived from a market study recently delivered to WRAP for which the analysis of results is incomplete. Therefore, the information should be treated as indicative only. More detailed estimates will be generated in due course.

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