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RECOUP t: + 44 (0) 1733 390021 e: enquiry@recoup.org Registered Office: RECycling Of Used Plastics Ltd Tower House Lucy Tower Street Lincoln LN1 1XW Co Reg: 2435729 VAT Reg No: 546 5837 10 Reg Charity No: 1072029 Registered environment body Number: 722037 |
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| Current Issues > News & Comments > Read news | ||
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| UK Household Plastics Packaging Collection Survey 2009 | ||
| Main News Page >> | ||
| Published: 26/10/2009 | ||
The latest report commissioned by Recoup and sponsored by Reckitt Benckiser shows an encouraging increase in the bottle recycling rate with almost 40% of plastic bottles now being collected for recycling. More local authorities are also reported to be actively collecting non -bottle plastics for recycling. Edward Butt, Vice President of Sustainability at Reckitt Benckiser, noted that ‘This year’s report is aimed at being a ‘one stop’ resource for all those involved in UK plastics packaging collection, sorting and reprocessing. As a manufacturer of global brands which use plastic packaging, we see sponsorship of this important report as part of our contribution to further developing recycling opportunities in the UK’. Stuart Foster, Recoup Business Development Director added ‘we have invested more time and resources than ever before to recover the most accurate local authority data possible, allowing us to confidently report on all the key issues associated with household plastic collections. I would like to thank all those who responded.’ 2008 Domestic Packaging Recycling Rates In 2008 approximately 238,000 tonnes of plastics packaging were collected for recycling. From this total, 216,000 tonnes was specifically reported as plastic bottles, an encouraging 19% increase on previous data. A further 22,000 tonnes was attributed to non-bottle plastic packaging collections. Kerbside and Bring Scheme Performance Kerbside schemes accounted for 169,000 tonnes of plastic bottles collected. This shows an increase of 21,500 tonnes from the previous year – a growth in collection rates of approximately 13%. This has occurred due to the number of local authorities now introducing a kerbside collection service for the first time, the expansion of schemes and overall performance improvement of existing services. The current bring collection tonnage for plastic bottles is now 44,000 tonnes including 5,800 tonnes from household waste recycling centres operated by waste disposal authorities. This suggests a 28% recovery increase from last years data. An additional 3,000 tonnes of bottles was attributed to local authority led recycle on the go activities. Collection of Non Bottle Plastics For Recycling This year’s survey has extended upon the level of detail requested from local authorities for material types collected. Of the 380 responding local authorities, 49 indicated that they are now actively collecting other plastics in addition to plastic bottles. The total reported tonnage for other plastics is 22,700 tonnes. However, this should be viewed as an indicative tonnage only, since the presence of other plastics within bottle streams and vice versa can vary, and this breakdown is not always available to the local authority, particularly when collected and handled as a single stream of material. Of those schemes which are collecting “other” plastics in addition to the plastic bottles, the over-riding majority indicated that whilst the material was collected in a mixed format, they were intended to be sold to market as a lower grade of bottles. The development of PRF’s (Plastics Recycling Facilities) has allowed this approach to expand. Non-bottle household plastics packaging takes many different forms and as a result, it is very difficult for local authorities to communicate the message effectively with householders. Consequently, those who are collecting other plastics are increasingly accepting all formats of plastic packaging as this alleviates the need for complex consumer messages. This approach does not match up with current industry led Recoup guidance on collection of plastics packaging for recycling. Planned Developments It would be easy to sit back and admire the scale and speediness with which household plastic collections have developed. Ultimately the numbers show that over 60% of plastic bottles are still not recycled. Aside from the issues around reducing landfill reliance and needing to meet increasing recycling targets, there is genuine concern that without a focussed effort, the plastic bottle recycling infrastructure in the UK cannot be sustainably supported by UK bottle collections. The survey responses suggest that kerbside schemes will recover 194,000 tonnes of bottles in 2011 representing 25,000 additional tonnes. If a yearly 10% increase in household kerbside coverage and also performance was applied, the estimated collection could reach over 342,000 tonnes. This suggests that a focus on increasing plastic bottle kerbside infrastructure and indicative performance per household will be key to boosting existing recycling rates and achieve the step change desired. Alongside this, Recoup believes that the introduction of other plastics packaging recycling can be considered. But only when commercially viable and sustainable end markets are defined, and the collection and sorting infrastructure is capable of effectively handling the mixed plastics without detriment to the operation of existing recycling systems, or affecting the resulting output quality of other recyclables, including plastic bottles. The full report is available FREE here: UK Household Plastic Packaging Collection Survey | ||
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