Dive Brief:
- U.K.-based Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) conducted an annual survey that found MRF gate fees for U.K. municipalities are rising due to low commodity prices and increased contamination.
- 80% of municipal leaders who took the survey also said they will expect higher tipping fees at MRFs because of such challenges.
- Despite higher fees, sending materials to MRFs is still less expensive than landfilling due to high landfill taxes, according to Resource Recycling.
Dive Insight:
Waste and recycling operations in the U.K. have seemed bleak lately as continuous obstacles are getting in the way of increased diversion rates. However, while low commodity prices are out of the control of industry leaders, contamination in the waste stream is something that can be tackled through outreach and education.
"[MRF operators] confirmed the need for increased risk share due to falling commodity prices and increasing contamination issues, and expect MRF gate fees to increase further," WRAP noted, as reported in Resource Recycling.
Recently, a report from Sustainalytics found the U.K.'s decision to exit the European Union (EU) can also take a toll on recycling operations, as the U.K. usually opposed the EU's green initiatives involving diversion targets. With its freedom from the EU's authority, the U.K. is likely to cut back on such initiatives, which can have a further negative effect on waste and recycling operations.
