Waste management company Biffa has announced the completion of a deal to acquire Scotland’s only post-consumer plastics recycling facility (PRF) from Green Circle Polymers Ltd (GCP) for £10 million.
Located in Grangemouth, the acquisition of the facility was first announced in Biffa’s full year results on 1 June 2021.
The Grangemouth facility is one of the largest PRFs in the UK, processing approximately 50,000 tonnes of plastic every year. This includes mixed plastic bottles and plastic tubs and trays that are used to create new recycled plastic material.
The facility also has the capability to sort coloured plastic material and metal cans.
The acquisition will provide Biffa with more recyclable plastic feedstock, which falls in line with the group’s strategy to quadruple its plastic recycling capacity by 2030.
The acquisition also comes ahead of the implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Scotland next year, with the initiative making it easier for residents to recycle their used bottles and cans, including PET plastic, metal, and glass.
Michael Topham, Chief Executive of Biffa, commented: “This acquisition builds on our leadership position in closed-loop recycling and strengthens Biffa’s capacity to process and recycle more plastic waste in Scotland.
“As a leading enabler of the circular economy in the UK, this investment helps us support Scotland’s vision of a greener future, as it prepares to introduce the Deposit Return Scheme to reduce littering and improve recycling levels.
“We are delighted to welcome the Green Circle Polymers team and their customers to Biffa.”
Chief Executive Officer of Green Circle Polymers Limited, Tom Gleeson, said:
“This is an exciting move and I’d like to thank the loyal customers who have supported the business over the years. I know the management and staff will make a valuable contribution to the future of the business as part of the Biffa Group.“
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.