Mark is one of the sponsors of a new Bill in the House of Commons which aims to boost both recycling and industry in the UK. The Bill proposes the introduction of a ‘Renewable Content Obligation’ on a number of products which are mass produced in the UK. This means that certain products (bottles, construction materials and cardboard boxes, for instance) would be required by law to contain a minimum level of recycled material.

This proposal would address the problem that whilst UK recycling levels have steadily improved in recent years, demand for the recycled products has not, despite their quality and practical applications. Currently a large number of the recycled materials produced in the UK are exported and therefore dependent on insecure foreign markets, while large quantities of identical ‘virgin’ materials are imported. The Renewable Content Obligation would secure the UK recycling industry and also introduce a level playing field, meaning that no manufacturer would be at a disadvantagesince all would be required to comply with the same standards.

Mark said:

"There are great opportunities for the use of recyclable rather than new raw materials in industry and without actually increasing costs."

"This Bill seeks to give the UK recycling industry security for the future. It would ensure that as much material as possible is recycled without the need for it to be exported, which is in itself a source of carbon emissions. If we are to tackle climate change successfully we need to recycle to conserve resources rather than, for instance, constantly making new plastic packaging or bottles using rapidly depleting oil reserves."

The Renewable Content Obligation Bill, was introduced by Dr Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test. It has received a good deal of support from both MPs and leading recycling organisations.

Speaking from Westminster after the presentation of the Bill, Mark commented:

"I believe that this could be an important way of making the use of recycled materials a normal feature of UK manufacturing. The UK makes very effective use of some of its recycled materials, such as metals, and exports the surplus. However, in some industries we are exporting equal amounts of recycled material to the quantity of new material we are importing, which simply does not make sense. A Renewable Content Obligation could reduce costs in British manufacturing, create secure markets for our recycled materials and at the same time cut carbon emissions from production."

[The Renewable Content Obligation Bill is what is known as a 10 Minute Rule Bill. These do not become laws, but they do raise awareness of an issue, enable backbench MPs to gain support from other members, and provide a platform on which an MP can build, for instance by securing a meeting with a Minister or a debate in the House of Commons]