Magazine industry agrees recycling target

The UK government has announced a new agreement with publishers to implement tough new recycling targets for the industry. Under the new standards, 50% of magazines will be recycled by 2007, rising to 70% by 2013. Currently, some 40% of magazines are sent for recycling, a respectable figure relative to other forms of waste.

The voluntary arrangement was made in co-operation with the Periodical Publishers Association (PPA), who represent 90% of the UK’s magazine publishers. Best-selling magazines such as Heat, FHM and Country Living will be covered by the deal, along with publications such as New Scientist and The Economist.

“This may well be a voluntary agreement, but it commits the publishing industry to some tough targets and pledges,” commented Minister Ben Bradshaw. "We are determined that producers of products must increasingly take responsibility for their products when they become waste. Through this agreement the PPA is playing its part in helping to tackle the UK's waste problem for which they should be applauded."

In addition to their recycling pledge, the PPA has also agreed to use more recycled materials in magazine packaging, raise awareness amongst readers on the issues involved, and look at raising the recycled paper content in the magazines themselves.