Plastic Energy announces FID and start of construction works for new recycling plant
Plastic Energy has announced the final investment decision (FID) and start of construction works for its new recycling facility in France.
The plant will be adjacent to ExxonMobil’s Notre Dame de Gravenchon petrochemical complex, boasting a capacity of approximately 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste per annum, with views to scale up to 33,000 tonnes in the near future.
The recycling company transforms plastic waste into raw materials that can be used as an alternative to fossil oils in the manufacture of virgin-quality food-grade packaging – Plastic Energy signed an agreement with ExxonMobil earlier this year which states that recycled oils from the plant will be used by ExxonMobil to produce certified circular polymers.
The facility is due to commence activity in 2023 and has been lent financial support from the French government as part of its Plan de Relance and Regional Planning Grant Scheme.
Carlos Monreal, Founder and CEO of Plastic Energy, commented: “We are excited to announce that construction is going ahead for our large-scale advanced recycling plant in France, which will recycle mixed post-consumer plastic waste. Through our collaboration with ExxonMobil, we are working towards making plastics more sustainable for the future.
Loic Vivier, senior vice president of Performance Derivatives, ExxonMobil Chemical Company, said: “ExxonMobil is investing in projects around the world that help society address the challenge of plastic waste in the environment. With the addition of well-designed policies and collaboration across industries, the advanced recycling opportunities we are evaluating and executing have the potential for large-scale, game-changing improvements to the circularity of plastic products.”
UK’s first city-wide coffee cup borrow and return scheme launches in Bristol
CanCan has announced the launch of the UK’s ‘first city-wide borrow and return scheme for hospitality, retail and corporates’ in Bristol.
On a daily basis, Bristol uses 66,500 coffee cups, totalling over 24 million per year, with only 1 in every 400 getting recycled.
The initiative will make use of an app – powered by Bockatech – that connects users to trackable cups and food containers, which are each fitted with a unique QR code, to be scanned when the packaging is returned for reuse. CanCan is working with an array of Bristol businesses within the scheme, including Hart’s Bakery, Alex Does Coffee, Five Acre Farm, Mokoko, and Little Victories.
The scheme is the brainchild of Jim Pizer, founder of the Thali Cafe chain of restaurants, and Dan Wright, owner of sustainable product manufacturer, Phineas Group. Pizer also launched the UK’s first reusable tiffin scheme in 2001.
Dan Wright, co-founder of CanCan, commented: “With many old lifestyle habits having been broken in the last year or so, we think it is the perfect time to launch CanCan. It makes sense that the more we share, the less we waste and we want to make sharing second nature for everyone.
“We are starting with cups but there are so many other items that can be shared using our technology platform. It is an exciting time for the ‘sharing of things’ movement and we are leading the charge for hospitality and retail right here in our home city.”
Mondi provides recyclable functional paper barrier bags for Les Crudettes salads
Group LSDH has revealed its first recyclable functional barrier paper bags for salads, manufactured by Mondi.
Intended for the company’s Les Crudettes range, the paper packaging will replace traditional polypropylene (PP) bags. Made from 95 per cent paper with a functional barrier layer, the new packaging will keep the salad fresh for up to 10 days, claims LSDH – the same amount of time as the original wrapping.
The opaque bags will be flexoprinted with realistic depictions of the salad contents, along with a QR code that informs consumers about the contents, quality, recycling, and refund policy. The material has been verified as recyclable in the French waste paper stream by the Recycling Authority (Cerec).
Mondi has worked closely with LSDH and its machine supplier Ilapak to ensure that the new packaging is fit-for-purpose and can run on existing machines.
Paulus Goess, Sales Director Speciality Kraft Paper, Mondi commented: “We evaluated everything, from sourcing, to machinery, and the recycling process – all while collaborating closely with LSDH to deliver a sustainable solution without compromising on packaging performance.
“A key focus of our Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) is to develop innovative packaging that keeps materials in circulation and prevents waste. We are proud to see our new circular-driven functional barrier paper being part of the solution. In particular as all converting steps are fully integrated across our value chain - from paper production to barrier application and printing.”
Get our weekly digest
resource.co article ai
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.