U.K. Sets Goal to Recycled 50 Percent of Magazines by 2007
Environment Minister says Periodical Publishers Association is helping magazine producers take responsibility for their products when they become waste by agreeing to goals; PPA also commits to increasing recycled paper in magazines
LONDON--Tough new targets to increase recycling of magazines have been formally agreed upon by Ben Bradshaw, British Minister for Local Environment, Marine and Animal Welfare The targets will see 50-percent of magazines recycled by 2007, increasing to 70-percent by 2013.
The agreement was reached by the government and the Periodical Publishers Association (PPA), who represent some 90-percent of all magazine publishers in the U.K.
Leading consumer magazines like Heat, Country Living and FHM alongside specialist titles such as New Scientist, The Economist and New Statesman will be covered by the new agreement.
Ben Bradshaw said he was delighted that the Government and the PPA had reached an agreement: "I'm delighted: This may well be a voluntary agreement, but it commits the publishing industry to some tough targets and pledges. We are determined that producers of products must increasingly take responsibility for their products when they become waste. "Through this agreement the PPA is playing its part in helping to tackle the U.K.'s waste problem, for which they should be applauded. In addition, today's agreement will make an important contribution in helping the U.K. meet its national targets for recycling and composting household waste."
As well as increasing recycling of magazines, the PPA have agreed to:
* Use recycled materials in magazine packaging
* Help raise awareness amongst readers on recycling issues, and
* Explore ways to increase the content of recycled paper in the magazines themselves.
Currently the PPA estimate that some 40 percent of all magazines are sent for recycling—some 270,000 tonnes.
For a copy of the agreement and more information, visit the Web site for the Department for the Environment, Food And Rural Affairs at http://www.defra.gov.uk.
