PPA, the representative body for magazine publishers, created a robust research method that showed almost 72 per cent of magazines read by consumers were recycled in 2008. The research was presented to Defra, which has responded saying it was satisfied with the research methods and the accuracy of the data.
The result means that Defra’s agreed recycling level for magazine publishing has been reached five years ahead of the 2013 target.
Dan Norris MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Rural Affairs and Environment), said: “PPA’s achievement in reaching its target early is great news. I know that PPA and its members have worked hard to reduce the level of waste in the production processes. This success demonstrates what can be achieved when Government and industry work closely together. I would encourage PPA and its members to continue their activities and work with us to look beyond targets for recycling levels.”
Rose Benjamin, head of environment and production at PPA, said: “This is an amazing achievement and it is heartening that, as an industry, we can play our part in supporting the wider environmental commitments currently being discussed by international leaders at the United Nations climate change summit taking place in Copenhagen.
“The industry has worked tirelessly to encourage the recycling of its products and these results show just how effective the messages have been.
“Magazine publishers have worked hard to drive out waste from their production processes working hand-in-hand with their printers. Improved communications, high quality digital proofs and right-first-time printing means that less, ink, energy and paper is used in magazine publishing than ever before.
“Developing a robust method to prove just how many magazines are recycled was a big challenge, but PPA worked incredibly hard to achieve this.”
(In 2005, PPA and Defra signed a Voluntary Producer Responsibility Agreement to increase the level of magazine recycling. A number of recycling targets were set for the industry. The industry, through its representative body PPA, was charged with reporting back to Defra annually on measurement performance against this target. Failure to meet targets or to report back with flawed methods could lead to statutory measures. PPA partnered with Pira to undertake the research. Following extensive physical sampling of waste paper at three recycling sites, the percentage of magazines recycled was calculated. The full report can be accessed on the PPA website by clicking here.)
About PPA
The PPA says: “Periodical Publishers Association (PPA) protects and promotes the interests of publishers and providers of consumer, customer and business media in the UK. PPA has almost 300 publishing companies in its membership, which collectively publish more than 2,500 consumer, customer and business magazines, as well as directories, websites and events.”
