WRAP Helps Magazine Industry To Explore Recycled Content Options

Uses for recycled paper within the United Kingdom could increase significantly due to a research project announced by the Waste & Resources Action Programme.

The project will investigate the opportunities and barriers to using recycled content paper in the magazine publication and print industry in the UK, with the overall aim of giving publishers the information and confidence to extend their use of recycled content paper for appropriate titles.

If successful, the work could help stimulate demand and increase recycled paper content in magazine production. This could also encourage further investment in recycled magazine paper mills.

Funded by WRAP, the work is due to take place in two phases. The first phase will gather essential information on available papers, collate existing print and publishing experience, review current title types for potential suitability and identify opportunities for commercial trials. If sufficient potential is identified in phase one then a second phase will be taken forward to run pilot and commercial scale trials and develop case studies.

PIRA International have been appointed to conduct Phase One of the project with guidance from a steering group with representation from the Periodicals Publishers Association, publishers, Confederation of Paper Industries, printers and paper mills to ensure robust industry input.

The UK consumer market currently comprises more than 1.3 billion magazines per year (excluding newspaper supplements). Although it is estimated that less than 2-3 percent use recycled content, publishers are increasingly showing an interest in doing so, provided the quality and costs are acceptable.

Contracts have been signed and the work has begun. Phase One of the project will be completed this month, with the results made publicly available shortly afterwards.