The Green Alliance Podcast

How can the UK design a recycling system that works?

Episode Summary

The UK government is in the middle of four substantial consultations aiming to reboot the UK recycling system. How can we design a system that actually works and ensures the best environmental outcomes?

Episode Notes

The UK government is in the middle of four substantial consultations aiming to reboot a recycling system in the UK currently stalling at best, and failing at worst.

Our panel examines the government's proposals to bring in a deposit return scheme for beverage containers and to reform packaging regulations so that producers bear the full cost of dealing with material they put on the market. These major overhauls promise to change how producers, retailers, householders, local authority and waste managers deal with waste materials. However, it is important that these designs ensure the best environmental outcomes and avoid perverse or unintended consequences.

This event launched our new report, Closing the loop, which outlines the steps to almost 100 per cent aluminium packaging recycling. The report is a reminder that plastic isn't the only material and demonstrates what can be achieved through ambitious policy making. Find out more here: https://www.green-alliance.org.uk/resources/Closing_the_loop.pdf

Questions or comments? Tweet us @GreenAllianceUK!

Music is Podington Bear, used under Creative Commons licence.