Paper recycling in the current economic climate

13 January 2009

WRAP responds to current debate on recycling

It is still a better option both financially and environmentally for councils and their council tax payers to recycle rather than send to landfill, even if councils face higher storage charges temporarily.

Paper has clearly borne the brunt of the economic downturn. However, even if paper is sold for recycling at £10 a tonne that is still preferable than paying the average of £45, including tax, to send it to landfill.

The clear message from councils to the millions of people who now see recycling as a way of life is that it is still worth recycling even in the current economic climate.
Although market prices for recovered materials are fragile at the moment, our view is that they are showing signs of stabilising.

Marcus Gover, Director of Market Development, at WRAP, said: "The growth of recycling in the UK over the last decade is a terrific success story. With almost 10m tonnes of waste recycled in the UK every year storing 100,000 or even 200,000 tonnes amounts to a small percentage of that total.
"Our market intelligence indicates that across different materials prices are recovering – just not to previous levels."  

More information on all of WRAP's programmes can be found on www.wrap.org.uk