Post-consumer magazine recycling targets
The PPA has agreed to increase the level of post-consumer recycling of magazines with Government. As part of this agreement the PPA has provided an annual report to Defra which outlines its progress on the recycling targets and the PPA's wider environmental initiatives.
The agreement means that publishers are working with the Government to raise the level of post-consumer magazine recycling to 70 percent by 2013.
The PPA exceeded the 2013 target in 2008 and 2009 reaching a level of 74.8 percent. This means that 74.8 percent of all magazines sold are being recycled, many of which are being used in the recycled-newsprint production industry.
Additionally, 100 per cent of all unsold magazines are sent for recycling. The above figures - and others which are included in the annual reports prepared for Defra by PPA - are verified by a third-party auditor, Pira. And such verification involves a considerable financial outlay on the part of PPA.
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Click here to request PPA’s report to Defra 2010/11
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Click here to download PPA’s report on annual recycling rates 2009
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Click here to download PPA’s report to Defra 2008
Heads of Agreement
Further to the industry’s achievements, the PPA has renegotiated the Heads of Agreement with Defra to reflect the industry’s clear emphasis on environmental policy. Full details of the industries commitments can be found here.
The Agreement includes a three-year moratorium on auditing the recycling targets set out in the Voluntary Producer Responsibility Agreement (VPRA). This has enabled the PPA to invest in further initiatives aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of producing magazines, including development of the award-winning PPA Carbon Calculator.
The Carbon Calculator will benefit from additional research which will enable publishers to quantify the carbon emissions associated with both content generation and the emissions associated with either print or online media – an industry first.
The PPA is working with Defra to develop a new Responsibility Deal to be set in place when the existing deal expires in 2013.
In order to continue to raise recycling levels, publishers are encouraged to use the Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) Recycle Now logo and advertisements within magazines which encourage their readers to recycle their magazines rather than send them to landfill.
Government policy
The PPA keeps members informed on environmental regulations such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme and the new Green House Gas Reporting Guidelines.
Working very closely with the Government and the supply chain, the PPA is committed to tackle carbon reduction in light of the CRC and Greenhouse Gas Reporting Guidelines.
The PPA is involved in relevant future environmental strategies and government policy and is able to inform members of future threats and opportunities so that they can be best prepared.
Full details on CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme are available here.
Full details on the Greenhouse Gas reporting guidelines are available here.