The coronavirus outbreak is having an impact on many industries across the globe, and in the UK, the recycling and packaging industries are concerned about a looming fiber shortage.
Many local councils have suspended recycling collection, causing used paper and cardboard to be sent to landfill, according to a report by The Guardian. If these actions continue to ramp up, the shortage is expected to become a reality.
The Guardian has more:
The UK could be hit by a national cardboard shortage as more and more local councils suspend their regular recycling collections owing to pressures caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the industry’s trade body has warned.
The Recycling Association said it has huge concerns about a looming European and even worldwide shortage of fibre – used paper and cardboard – which is used to manufacture millions of cardboard boxes essential for food and medical supplies distribution.
Struggling to cope with a surge in rubbish collection equivalent to levels at Christmas now that households are in virtual lockdown, local authorities are increasingly scaling back and even suspending food, green waste and recycling collections.