Report launch demonstrates Corus’ ongoing commitment to steel packaging recycling

17 Sep 2008

Corus Steel Packaging Recycling, the UK’s centre of expertise on steel packaging recycling, has launched its annual PRN report, highlighting the significant achievements and benefits to the recycling infrastructure that were made in 2007 as a result of Corus’ investment of PRNs (Packaging Recovery Notes).

The report, ‘Moving Forward in Recycling’, demonstrates to the packaging industry how Corus invested PRN funds to help boost steel packaging recycling rates to a record level of 69% in 2007^*. It also highlights some of the key industry topics such as carbon reduction, climate change, retailer packaging initiatives and possible changes to the PRN system.

Packaging chain companies are obliged to purchase PRNs as evidence that their legal responsibility to recover and recycle quantified tonnages of packaging has been fulfilled. PRNs are sold by accredited recycling operators like Corus, either to an obligated company or to a compliance scheme acting on their behalf.

In 2007, Corus collected its highest ever yearly tonnage and invested hundreds of thousands of pounds of PRN funds in a number of areas to facilitate and enhance the collection and recovery of steel packaging. Examples of some of the achievements detailed in the report include:

1. in capital equipment, strategic research studies, education and communications to improve steel packaging recycling in the UK. This investment has helped to more than double the UK recycling rate and diverted in excess of 720,000 tonnes of steel packaging from landfill - the equivalent of more than 3.5 billion cans.
2. In 2007, steel packaging recycling hit an all time high of 404,500 tonnes, surpassing 2007 business targets by 27% and giving a surplus over the national target of over 40kt.  .
3. 68,000 tonnes of steel were recovered via Corus’ CanRoute system in 2007 – a 48% increase on 2006 and the highest yearly tonnage recorded since CanRoute was established in 1999.
4. By investing PRN funds, Corus has improved the flow of material into its steel making plants, increasing the potential intake of collected steel packaging from 175kt to 250kt in 2007.

The report also looks at what the company hopes to achieve in 2008 as David Williams, Manager of Corus Steel Packaging Recycling, explains: “With the UK’s steel packaging recycling rate having already surpassed the European packaging recycling target of 54% two years early, the challenge now is to continue this momentum through to 2010 and beyond.

“Our priorities are to maintain record recycling levels for steel, and to ensure that as many people as possible recognise that steel is a sustainable, successful and long-term packaging solution.  The work of our Research and Development Department and the continued strategic application of PRN funds for improving recycling infrastructure and investing in technology to ensure cleaner materials with a minimum ferrous content of 92%, will help to ensure that our previous achievements in this field continue."

*Based on Corus calculations, as Defra has not yet released the 2007 UK packaging recycling figures.