LOGISTICS IMPLICATIONS OF THE UK PACKAGING WASTE REGULATIONS. IN: TRANSPORT LOGISTICS

Abstract

The U.K. government introduced the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations in 1997. These regulations are intended to increase the amount of packaging waste being recovered and recycled in the U.K. which would help U.K. to meet the requirements of the European Commission Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and leading, in turn, to a more sustainable approach to dealing with packaging waste. This paper examines the freight transport and logistics requirements resulting from these regulations. The paper attempts to quantify the effect that the regulations could have on total freight vehicle kilometers performed in transporting packaging waste. Also modelled is the extent to which reusable packaging could help mitigate the level of freight transport activity. The logistics options available to businesses in dealing with packaging waste are also discussed. The results of interviews and company case studies are used to illustrate the approaches being taken by some firms.