Valpak’s James Beard appointed to PackUK’s Technical Advisory Committee

James Beard, Head of Voluntary Compliance at Valpak, has been appointed to PackUK’s Technical Advisory Committee. 

Commenting, Beard said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to PackUK’s Technical Advisory Committee – one of the three Recycling Assessment Methodology (RAM) advisory groups tasked with guiding the implementation of one of the cornerstones of the revised EPR framework.

“I am grateful that PackUK has recognised the expertise I’ve built over my many years at Valpak in producer responsibility and recycling, especially around data, recycling performance and EPR systems. I would like to congratulate all the other appointees to the various advisory committees; it is a strong cohort and I know that, like me, all are clearly keen to get stuck in and add value to the process over the coming years. I’m looking forward to working together with industry to support these important reforms across the packaging sector.”

The RAM TAC will meet quarterly. As well as providing technical advice on packaging sustainability, it will support PackUK to deliver iterations of the RAM which both reflect recyclability and consider different bases of assessment. It will also ensure that the advice that the PackUK Scheme Administrator (SA) receives regarding packaging recyclability and other environmental characteristics is up to date and reflects trends and innovations. The RAM TAC will also assess selected technical queries and issues relating to packaging materials and advise the SA of the outcome of their technical assessment.

Ends

Editors notes

·      Valpak’s mission is to create a sustainable, waste-free world. We are driven, not by today. We are driven by tomorrow.

·      We help our clients to reduce waste and recycle more, continually innovating and using leading data science and expertise to inspire businesses, help push ourselves – and our industry – forward. We don’t just show our customers how to navigate waste regulations; we help them become more sustainable, through our ever-increasing capabilities and pioneering innovations. 

·      Valpak is the largest environmental compliance scheme in the UK. We work with major names, such as Aldi, Tesco, ASOS, and Miele, and manages compliance for more than 2,000 businesses. In 2022, it celebrated its 25th anniversary.

·      Valpak is part of Reconomy, an international circular economy specialist that combines technology, skills and incredible people to build sustainability ‘loops’ that create circular opportunities for business. This is achieved through a tech enabled, people-powered approach that helps Reconomy’s customers to better manage their resources, reduce waste, optimise their supply chains, and contribute in a meaningful way towards the circular economy.

·      Valpak services include:

o   Compliance under Waste Packaging, WEEE, and Battery Directives.

o   Data insights.

o   International compliance.

o   Consultancy.

o   Accreditation under environmental schemes, such as Zero Waste to Landfill. 

·      Valpak invests in pioneering systems and expertise which enable its customers to analyse, assess and improve product design. The Product Data Hub, Insight Platform and dedicated teams work together to drive change.