Pubs can save thousands through recycling scheme

Members of Sustain, the BBPA’s sustainable packaging partnership, saved £530,000 in 2015 and 2016. The not-for-profit scheme was set up in 2014.

It was established for the pub and drinks sector to manage packaging recycling compliance under UK terms as part of EU law.

Non-compliance

The EU sets recycling targets for member states, with each state determining how they are met. There are targets for non-compliance.

To meet its targets, the UK opted for a market-based system under which companies with a turnover above £2m and handling more than 50 tonnes of packaging are obliged to buy Packaging Waste Recycling Notes (PRNs) as proof that they are complying with the law.

Packaging waste has become an increasingly important issue for brewers and pub companies, says the BBPA. Sustain was set up to challenge rising recycling costs and the variable data quality of traditional schemes.

Increased transparency

Sustain’s own in-house experts achieve lowest cost compliance with the highest standards of data reporting and maximum added value, it is claimed.

BBPA says the scheme has also increased transparency in what is an opaque market and promoted recycling across the sector.

The scheme currently has 23 members. BBPA policy director Andy Tighe said: “In just two years, Sustain has delivered great savings for members, and we are confident of further savings this year.

“We would encourage more companies to join the scheme and it is open to the wider drinks and hospitality industry.

“It is a great example of how trade associations can deliver real savings to members, and there is also clear evidence that our scheme has driven down prices, even for non-Sustain members who benefit from more competitive prices from alternative sources.”