Defra Teams Up with PA Consulting to Create UK Recycling Assessment Methodology

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) was helped by PA Consulting.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), in charge of improving and protecting the UK environment, has to provide a Recycling Assessment Methodology (RAM) on the side of 4 countries. To meet the chief objective of offering a clear, vigorous methodology for evaluating the recyclability of packaging located on the UK market, Defra reached out to PA Consulting, as it required a methodology that could categorize packaging materials by way of eight different types into red, amber, or green categories, individually with financial consequences for producers.

These estimations would enter into financial responsibilities under the eco-modulated fee framework right away. The assurance of the system being reasonable and effective, and enacted on the objectives outlined in the new packaging legislation, was dependent on these assessments.

Ross Lakhdari, a PA packaging expert at PA Consulting, reminded, "We knew we had to build trust with key industry members from across the packaging sector from the very beginning. The legislation was already in force, requiring us to work at an exceptional speed."

The challenge was no less than an uphill battle. The consultancy joined forces with the UK government and its know-how, while functioning across various material categories and the entire value chain, provided its team with an understanding of the technical and operational limitations of recycling packaging waste. The consultants considered prioritizing meaningful rendezvous throughout the project.

Working on a tight schedule influenced by legal requirements, PA Consulting worked as an external, less involved firm, while directing all parties toward a mutual understanding and finally agreeing on a feasible framework for the RAM.

Alex Hilton, head of RAM at Defra, clarified,

"We were clear that a ‘One Team’ approach was the only way, and PA were able to bring agile delivery expertise paired with a holistic view of the packaging sector. They considered a broad range of stakeholder impacts, consumer behavioural insights, international contexts, and the future policy landscape. That was invaluable for us."

The RAM developed by PA Consulting is a main part of the PEPR landscape. The consulting company was ready to listen to all the related stakeholders, took the time to understand their views, and considered whether their suggestions were suitable. This was necessary for the development.

Hilton concluded,

"They were able to distinguish between genuine technical input and industry lobbying to provide a meaningful and accurate assessment. Their ability to build trust across the value chain ultimately reset the work for Defra and PackUK."