WRAP has released guidelines for local authorities encouraging them to recycle rigid plastics. The guide provides an overview of the options for, and benefits from, recycling rigid plastics and includes an outline of the rigid plastics supply chain. The aim is to inform councils on the decisions they will have to make in planning service delivery and procurement if they take up rigid plastic recycling.
Linda Crichton, Head of Collections and Quality at WRAP said: “We know householders want to recycle more of their plastic packaging and that increasing numbers of local authorities want to collect it, the challenge is to collect and recycle it effectively without reducing the quality and value of the plastic bottle stream.”
The UK produces 1.7 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste every year, a quarter of which is rigid plastic. According to 2010 figures overall bottle recycling rates were at 48.5 per cent, whereas only 7-9 per cent of rigid plastics were recycled. Currently just 36 per cent of councils collect rigid plastics either as part of a commingled or sorted collection.
The WRAP guide “Collection and sorting of household rigid plastic” says that a more comprehensive recycling system improves participation and yields across the board. Separating rigid plastics from bottles also improves the quality of recycled plastic, meaning that reprocessors can sell the material at 70-80 per cent of the price of virgin material.
However, there is currently limited capacity for recycling rigid plastics. The less common PP, PVC and PS polymers used are hard to separate using the optical sorting devices found in most MRFs and PRFs. WRAP suggest local authorities discuss with reprocessors whether there is capacity for sorting rigid plastics and whether the MRF’s input specifications will match what is provided by the collection service.
The guide also suggests strengthening the plastic recycling supply chain by encouraging councils, MRFs, PRFs and reprocessors to entering into longer term agreements. The aim is to encourage stable supply relationships and remove the uncertainly of price volatility in the global market for plastics. A more robust outlet market will also encourage investment in the infrastructure for dealing with rigid plastics. WRAPs Mixed Plastics Recycling Fund is also available to companies wishing to take out loans to invest in plastic recycling facilities.
Managing Director of ECO Plastics Jonathan Short said: “It is … encouraging that WRAP accept that mixed rigid plastics processing is a medium term goal for UK re-processors, not for the here and now. For this to work, however, we need to build on the strength of the plastic bottle industry. This will underpin investment in crucial processing infrastructure, laying the foundations for other domestic plastics markets to grow.”
You can download and read the new guidelines on WRAP's website.
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