Household plastic recycling rates are up from last year by six per cent, according to the ‘2015 UK Household Plastics Collection Survey’, released by plastics recycling organisation RECOUP (RECycling of Used Plastics).

The key findings of the survey show that over 492,000 tonnes of plastic packaging were collected from UK households in 2014/15. Of this, 337,447 tonnes consisted of plastic bottles, while pots, tubs and trays made up the remaining 155,176 tonnes. The total figure represents an overall increase of around 30,000 tonnes from 2013/14.

The data shows that there has been an increase of plastic bottles placed on the market and a reduction in pots, tubs and trays. When measuring these against the quantities collected for recycling, the collection rate for plastic pots, tubs and trays has now increased to 30 per cent – a rise of 12 per cent from last year’s figures.

Plastic bottles meanwhile have continued on what RECOUP calls a ‘modest and steady trajectory’, with a 3.5 per cent increase in recycling rates from last year, bringing the overall collection rate to 57 per cent.

However, although the collection rate is rising, RECOUP suggests that households need to increase their recycling further if collection rates are to match the growing number of plastic bottles on the market.

The study shows that 5.5 billion plastic bottles were used but not collected for recycling by UK households, equating to over 15 million plastic bottles every day. This lost material incurs significant an estimated £25 million in costs, according to the report. Costs for the disposal of pots, tubs and trays that aren’t recycled is estimated to be anywhere between £37-53 million.

Commenting on the report’s findings, Steve Morgan, Technical Manager at RECOUP, said: “With the overall recycling rate for rigid plastic packaging at 44 per cent there is too much material that is not collected for recycling. This lost material highlights again the importance of communicating regularly and effectively with consumers, particularly that plastics can be recycled from all rooms around the home.”

LAs ‘need to communicate regularly and effectively with consumers’

According to the survey, the communication between those conducting collection services and consumers needs building on, and partnerships can be useful in this area.

It states that dwindling budgets for ‘non-essential services’ have been felt by most local authority (LA) departments, which has been reflected in the communication of the collection services available.

The report further emphasises the need for partnership and communication in order to help recycling rates flourish: ‘The benefits and the process to achieve a productive partnership are clearer if the same materials are collected in the same way. However, in many situations there will be specific areas where alignment cannot be reached or progressed, and even if there are barriers than cannot be overcome, meeting regularly and keeping the communication lines open to share good practice and explore future opportunities ensures that the full potential of any partnership or joint working can be realised.’

Pledge 4 Plastics WRAP collaboration

The survey highlights RECOUP’s own Pledge 4 Plastics campaign as a means for engaging with consumers. Pledge 4 Plastics has recently collaborated with Recycle Now to promote existing collection services and encourage positive behaviour change.

The project hopes to help the UK meet ‘ongoing ambitious targets and circular economy aspirations’ set by the government and European Union.

The two organisations will jointly host one set of resources in a new Plastics Recycling Resources Pack that will appear on their websites.

Morgan commented: “The new pack will provide aligned communications activities and a consistent set of messages around plastics collections, providing all the resources needed for Local Authorities and businesses to run a plastics recycling consumer communications campaign.”

The full survey can be downloaded from RECOUP's website.

Find out more about Pledge4Plastics.