(L-R): PlasRecycleCEO Duncan Grierson; Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Edward Davey; and PlasRecycle Chairman Paul Levett demonstrate how plastic bags are made into pellets to produce new refuse sacks.
The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey, and London MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford yesterday (8 May) visited the UK’s ‘first’ plastic film recycling facility.
The reprocessing facility in Woolwich, London – which became the UK’s ‘first’ plastic bag recycling plant when it began operations in late 2013 – can process 20,000 tonnes of plastic film per year (which it sources from waste companies and retailers) to produce a ‘clean’ plastic granulate that can be used for manufacturing new black sacks and carrier bags.
The facility – which received £10.7 million of finance from investors such as the Foresight Environmental Fund, the London Waste and Recycling Board and WRAP – created 32 new ‘cleantech’ jobs, and reportedly saves 1.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions for every tonne of plastic packaging that is reprocessed and recycled.
The Board of PlasRecycle took Davey and Ludford on a tour of the plant yesterday, just months after the Minister of State for Business and Energy, Michael Fallon undertook a similar visit.
‘Waste has been under-utilised for too long’
Duncan Grierson, PlasRecycle’s Founder and Chief Executive, said: “We were delighted to show our new plant to the Secretary of State and Sarah Ludford MEP. We welcome politicians from across the political spectrum since it is of great importance that the move towards a ‘circular economy’ should pick up momentum, where waste materials are reprocessed and reused.
“Waste is a resource that has been under-utilised for too long. There are now a range of clean technologies available to ensure we make the most of our resources in the UK.”
He added that he believes PlasRecycle is making a “small but important contribution to the UK’s environmental targets set by the EU’s Waste Framework Directive and the Climate Change Bill”.
'Litter from plastic bags can be dramatically reduced’
After touring the plant, Davey commented: “It is great to see this investment in innovative green technology here in the UK and great to see plastic bags being recycled for the first time ever in the UK. PlasRecycle's plant is certainly impressive and its pioneering technology means local authorities and businesses no longer have to export, landfill or incinerate their waste plastic bags but have this state-of-the-art alternative.
"Combined with incentives to cut plastic bag usage, this new recycling technology means the litter and marine pollution from plastic bags can be dramatically reduced."
Ludford added: “PlasRecycle is supporting the local community by creating local jobs in an exciting and growing sector, and helping the coalition government’s commitment to meet EU environmental targets to reduce household waste and increase rates of recycling.
“European legislation and funding is playing a key role in helping to protect our environment and create green jobs in Greenwich, which is why I support Britain’s continued membership of the EU.”
England set for plastic bag levy
The environmental impact of littered plastic bags has been under much scrutiny recently, with the UK government announcing last year that from ‘autumn 2015’, England will introduce a five-pence mandatory charge for plastic bags, making it the last of the UK administrations to introduce such a charge.
Speaking at the time, then-Resources Minister Lord de Mauley said: “We have all seen the effects of discarded plastic bags caught in trees and hedges or ending up in rivers where they harm animals. Introducing a small charge for plastic bags will make people think twice before throwing them away. Year on year, the number of bags issued by retailers has been rising. Without a charge, the problem could escalate out of control and see our environment and animals suffer enormously.”
Read more about PlasRecycle.
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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.