RECOUP and Members Featured in BBC News Article

With recycling facilities closing across Europe over the last few years – the question that continues to be asked is can the recycling industry really be saved?

Plans to build new recycling plants have recently been abandoned as numerous facilities across the UK and Europe continue to close. According to Plastic Recyclers Europe, the decline in recycling capacity has resulted in the loss of nearly one million tonnes of plastic since 2023. The downturn shows no sign of stabilising, with further closures likely, warns James McLeary, managing director of Biffa’s polymer division.

Dependence on exporting plastic waste also has not helped the positioning of the UK, with around 600,000 tonnes of plastic waste being exported last year which is up 5% from 2023.

Current UK legislation contains loopholes that unintentionally encourage plastic waste collectors to export materials rather than process them domestically. At the same time, manufacturers continue to favour cheaper virgin plastic imports, accepting the associated tax costs rather than switching to recycled alternatives.

Steve Morgan, Head of Infrastructure and Policy at RECOUP, warns that without timely intervention, “we will see the demise of plastic recycling,” as UK recyclers are increasingly unable to compete under regulations that favour foreign markets. While new recycling technologies are emerging, significant concerns remain regarding their financial viability and scalability. Targeted interventions are therefore essential to transform the current landscape and ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry.

RECOUP remains optimistic that the forthcoming UK government consultation will address the structural challenges facing the sector, and advocate for the introduction of a unified plastic recycling certification scheme designed to reduce the export of plastic waste and incentivise greater use of recycled materials within domestic manufacturing.

Read more of the article here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yv8e0prg9o