Plastics

It is Estimated that 2.8 million tonnes of plastic waste arises each year in the UK, of which packaging accounts for approximately 60 %

There are approximately 50 different types of plastic. As a result recycling plastics from the domestic waste stream, without pre-sorting is at the present time uneconomical.

Economically viable recycling of plastics relies upon large arisings, of clean and single type plastic waste such as:

• Polypropylene from transit boxes and milk crates,
  
  

• Polystyrene from vending cups
  
  

• Expanded Polystyrene from transit packaging.

Therefore the highest rate of plastic recycling occurs within the distribution and industrial sector.

Examples of successful commercial ventures include the recycling of polystyrene coat hangers from department stores and the recovery of used cassettes from photographic laboratories

The end user processes plastic material by granulating, melting or partially melting and extruding the plastic material to form the end product. Recycled plastic is used to make a range of products including dustbin sacks, sewer pipes and shoes.

The British Plastics Federation is the trade association representing the UK plastics industry, their website provides publications, news, links and market information related to the plastic industry.

RECOUP (Recycling of Used plastic (Containers) Ltd) provides information on recycling of plastic bottles; collection schemes and education programmes.

www.eps.co.uk provides information on Expanded Plastic Packaging

Wasteonline

What about Links to plastic recyclers?

Cumbria Farm Plastic Recycling Scheme A pilot scheme for the collection and recycling of Farm Plastic.

A list of commercial plastic recyclers in the UK can be found at letsrecycle.com

Save-a-Cup collect hard wall plastic cups (the kind you get in vending machines) free of charge. The recyclate is used to make a huge variety of plastic components and useful everyday products, usually at less cost than using virgin polymer material.