The Wood Recyclers’ Association has today (November 16) responded to confirmation that Defra’s packaging recycling target for waste wood is set to rise next year from 35% to 42%.
Julia Turner, Executive Director of the WRA said: “For years wood packaging targets have been set too low and we welcome this increase, which will provide more support for waste wood reprocessors through the PRN system.
“Higher targets are something we have been calling for this year through our MP engagement work and this shows how we are affecting positive change for our sector.”
“While we welcome the rise, however, we are a little disappointed by the scale of the increase. We believe that a minimum target of 45% would be more meaningful to drive investment in recycling and ensure that as much wood packaging as possible is reused or recycled in line with the waste hierarchy.”
Most of the 2024 packaging recycling targets are being held at the same level as 2023, with the exception of the wood target and the general recycling target, with the latter being increased by three percentage points to 80% for 2024.
A Statutory Instrument (SI) confirming the new targets in Northern Ireland can be found here and an SI for England and Wales is expected to be laid next week.