At the parliamentary reception on 30 Nov. at the House of Commons hosted by the British Plastics Federation (BPF), in conjunction with Plastics Europe, the focus of the evening was on the need for Parliament to support, not sacrifice, the plastics industry in the UK.
The sponsor of the event, the MP for Rugby Mark Pawsey, opened, noting how seriously the industry was taking the issue of mismanaged plastic waste and how the industry was engaging with MPs to explain positive progress and to help clarify some of the issues surrounding government proposals. He stressed that it was vital for the sector to ‘understand the legislation that government is bringing forward and the effect that will have upon businesses, and to make certain that Parliamentarians understand these issues’.
BPF director Philip Law then gave his speech, highlighting the economic importance of the plastics industry and underlining the progress made in moving towards greater circularity within the industry.
“In the last year we have added 150,000 tonnes of recycling capacity in the UK. As well as advances in mechanical recycling, chemical recycling has become a reality and £7.2 billion pounds worth of investments are poised for implementation across Europe by 2030,” he said.
Referring to the government’s ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution, Law pointed out that plastics are a “key facilitator” and are vital to delivering electric vehicles, more renewable energy and energy-efficient homes and buildings. In order for the industry to reach its potential, four key areas needed consideration, Law continued. Firstly, the regulatory framework needs to consider more than just the recyclability of products, such as the role they play in reducing carbon emissions. In addition, decisions need to be science-led, such as via LCAs. The government also needs to support businesses wishing to grow their export markets, particularly smaller businesses. Finally, the government needs to foster an investment-friendly climate for plastics companies. In that context, he said that some ‘rewriting of the secondary legislation supporting the Plastics Packaging Tax’ is required, to accommodate ‘mass balance’ methods to verify the quantity of recyclate in products which have been derived from chemical recycling processes.
His remarks were seconded by Plastics Europe Resource Efficiency Senior Manager Adrian Whyle, who noted that ‘the plastics industry is clearly making a great effort to change while continuing to support society on its route to a net zero economy’.
“The amount being invested in expanding recycling capacity is testament to this positive change - and the right support from government can further accelerate the realisation of a fully circular economy,” he said.
The next speaker was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Lee Rowley. The minister noted the breadth and size of the UK plastics industry and thanked it for its efforts in adapting manufacturing processes in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. He encouraged plastics companies to contact their local MPs to highlight the good work being undertaken as well as the role they play in their local economies.
Rowley said that when it comes to net zero, plastics have a critical part to play, and that he felt confident a “net zero” plastic was achievable. He looked forward to working in partnership with industry in the years ahead as it strives to meet government-set 'challenges'.