Two British brewers have already signed up to a new partnership initiative supported by the BBPA which will dramatically cut the cost of packaging waste, the BBPA has announced. Wells & Youngs and Hook Norton have joined the scheme and other BBPA members are expected to follow shortly.
17% cost reduction
The new scheme was introduced to BBPA members at a well-attended workshop in Birmingham on 16 September. Rapid progress is being made in recruiting members, not least because of the major cost savings that can be achieved, with an estimated cost reduction of around 17 per cent for the average BBPA member – around £150,000 per year, per company.
Cost savings will be achieved because SUSTAIN will operate as a not-for-profit partnership, and will use its own in-house experts to achieve lowest cost compliance with the highest standards of data reporting.
The SUSTAIN partnership will also give sector-specific support unrivalled by existing compliance schemes, as scheme members will have a direct influence on the future of how the sector’s packaging compliance is managed. The industry’s recycling achievements can also be measured and promoted under the scheme.
Reducing the cost of PRNs
At its heart, SUSTAIN will deliver savings for members, by sharply reducing the cost of Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs). A PRN is a document that provides evidence that waste packaging material has been recycled into a new product, under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007. Notes can only be issued by accredited reprocessors; when they have recovered and recycled a tonne of packaging material; these are then sold to the companies with the obligation.
BBPA Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds comments:
“We have taken action to set up SUSTAIN, as we have a major opportunity for us to work together, to make very significant cost savings, promote recycling and protect the environment. Packaging waste is going to be a growing issue, with EU proposals for higher targets on the horizon. I anticipate that many BBPA members will be rapidly looking to join the SUSTAIN partnership, and we have urged all our members to do so.”
No brainer
Hook Norton’s Managing Director James Clarke stated that “Joining Sustain was a no-brainer for Hook Norton; it delivers cost savings while providing comprehensive support for our business. It’s great to see the industry coming together in this way.”
Watch the SUSTAIN promotional film on the Sustain website here
SUSTAIN is owned by BBPA Environmental, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BBPA. There are four directors; three BBPA staff and Ian Dixon, an industry expert.
