Plastics Recycling - The Future

RECycling Of Used Plastics Limited. Formed in 1990 by industry as a not for profit member based organisation Trading subsidiary formed in 1996 (RSL) Charity status– David Bellamy (Patron) Initial focus on collection and sorting activities Focus on plastics packaging Work with UK and international plastic supply chains

Website Education Resources Enquiries Presentations Exhibitions Representation Communication Promotion Research Technical support Advising Fund raising Bespoke consultancy Increasing Plastics Packaging Recycling (in a sustainable and commercially viable way)

Without packaging, much food and many goods would be damaged or spoiled before they got to us. In less developed countries without the sophisticated distribution and packaging systems that we have in the UK, as much as 50% of food never reaches consumers. Some goods (such as fruit and vegetables) do not need any protection for shoppers to carry them home – but none could be transported from producer to shop without packaging. A delicate balance has to be struck between providing adequate protection for the products inside and keeping packaging to a minimum. Industry has an interest in using only the right amount of packaging because this reduces costs, complies with the packaging laws and protects the environment. Packaging typically protects food and goods which contain more than ten times the energy and resources that went into the packaging, so it does more than make modern lifestyles possible – it saves food and prevents products going to waste. Packaging, and specific plastic types are used for a reason

The Current Status of UK Plastics Packaging Recycling Packaging Obligations / Producer Responsibility 32% recycling target for 2011 and target met mostly through;

DEFRA and ACP Reports For most materials, the collection, sorting and reprocessing infrastructure is well established. Plastics are the exception. Ensure that a greater proportion of the plastic packaging on the UK market can be easily recycled (i.e. is easy to sort mechanically) 45% actual plastics packaging recycling by 2020 It is important for each authority to make its own decision on recycling systems and collection frequencies but There should be a requirement for local authorities to consider the needs of industry in their specifications especially in respect to quality of material recovered. There needs to be a step change in the recovery of plastics..... and more strategic coordination between retailers, waste companies and local authorities.

Isn’t it all just plastic? Thermoset > < Thermoplastic.... And can’t it all just be recycled ?

UK Household Plastic Recycling , ,097 1% 3% 48.5%

Ten Years Of Progress 12,715 tonnes to 357,461 tonnes collected 3% plastic bottle recycling rate to 48.5% recycling rate 3.7 million to 21.7 million kerbside bottle collection Quadrupling of bring collection sites No non bottle collections to 76,364 tonnes

Recyclables Collection 21% weekly 73% fortnightly 6% other Kerbside Plastic Collection Combination115 Waste Collection 43% weekly 57% fortnightly Handling 58% sort at MRF 42% sort at Kerbside

What is the most important factor preventing a kerbside bottle collection in your area 20 responses ; Difficult to add plastic due to kerbside sort vehicles Existing waste and recycling contract inflexible Currently focussing on other materials to meet targets Bottle scheme would be too expensive No suitable local handling / sorting facility Not confident in market outlets for plastic bottles Plastics extracted and recycled from MBT plant Little political interest within council to add bottles

What is the most important factor preventing a kerbside non-bottle collection in your area 127 responses 61 local authorities with bottle collection schemes have categorically said they will not be introducing mixed plastic collections 1)Lack of end markets in the UK, will not export 2)No suitable local sorting facility 3)Too challenging from an operational viewpoint 4)No confidence in market and concerns over continued availability of export markets

Projected Household Plastics Packaging Collection Growth Need for a ‘value recycling’ approach Making a positive contribution and not create a diminishing value system.

Recycle On The Go

EU Recovery Rates

The Plastics Packaging Journey Size Shape Polymer Type (s) Ease of separation Additives Contaminants Bottles, Non bottle rigids, Flexibles

Household Non Bottle Plastic Recycling Guide - Aimed at local authorities and their service providers - Up to local authorities how and if messages passed to consumers

The term ‘bioplastics’ is commonly used to describe two different aspects of the product: Disposal option – i.e. biodegradable/compostable Material source – i.e. renewable/biomass- based plastics. Compostable Plastics - undergoes degradation by biological processes during composting – up to 180 days. e.g. PLA Biobased Plastics - produced from renewable resources; not in all cases biodegradable and compostable - e.g. PET from sugar cane. Bioplastics ‘Fully biodegradable’ ‘100% fully compostable’ ‘100% compostable’ ‘Biocompostable’ ‘Degradable’ ‘Fully biodegradable and 100% compostable’ ‘Reusable, Recyclable, Biodegradable’ Made from renewable materials

Bio-based plastic Made by converting the natural sugars in sugarcane into bioethanol, which forms one of the key ingredients for making common polymers It looks, functions and recycles just like traditional plastic but with a lower footprint No difference in shelf life or weight from regular bottles Coca Cola, Nestle Waters, Danone and others using this technology By 2020, all CCE bottles will be like this. CCE are working on the “perfect sustainable” bottle.

 More bottle collection through householder behaviour change  Infrastructure for non bottle plastics  Innovation  Integration  Terminology  Incineration or landfill  Marketing vs Sustainability  The plastics packaging recycling journey  UK a world leader in viable sustainable resource management The future of plastics packaging

Stuart Foster Deputy CEO Recoup 1 Metro Centre Welbeck Way Woodston Peterborough PE2 7UH Tel: Direct Dial: Website :