The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed a government resources and waste strategy, announced by Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The strategy includes the elimination of avoidable plastic waste.
BBPA chief executive, Brigid Simmonds, said: “We support a deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and, crucially, the strategy’s recognition of the need for a UK-wide system, which is vital to avoid unnecessary costs and significant fraud risk in what is an integrated UK supply chain and market for drinks containers.
“Reducing food waste is also a key element of the strategy, and although this will be yet another cost pressure for pubs, which already face tight margins, our sector recognises the role we have to play…
“The proposed reforms to producer packaging responsibility are likely to lead to significant cost increases, as producers will bear the full cost of recycling or disposing of waste costs, and so it is important that brewers and pubs — especially the smaller ones — are not overburdened by the changes. The strategies recognition that SMEs will need to be protected is therefore reassuring.”
