(L-R): PlasRecycle CEO Duncan Grierson; Minister of State for Business and Energy Michael Fallon MP; and PlasRecycle Chairman Paul Levett outside PlasRecycle’s facility in Woolwich
The Minister of State for Business and Energy, Michael Fallon, welcomed the economic benefits of ‘proper’ waste management and recycling today (17 February), whilst on a tour of PlasRecycle’s plastic bag recycling facility.
The reprocessing plant in Woolwich – 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.
Speaking on a tour of the plant earlier today, Fallon said: “The innovative technology being used by PlasRecycle shows that dealing with waste and recycling properly can create jobs and boost economic growth as well as being good for the environment.
“The government’s industrial strategy is giving businesses all over the country the confidence to invest, and securing highly skilled jobs and a stronger economy – including here in Woolwich.”
Duncan Grierson, PlasRecycle’s Founder and Chief Executive, said the company was ‘delighted’ to show the minister around the facility, adding that he was ‘pleased’ to be “contributing to the country’s environmental targets set by the EU’s Waste Framework Directive and the Climate Change Bill”.
Paul Levett, Chairman of PlasRecycle, added: “We are pleased that our initiative is not only creating green jobs in the UK, but can be a key part of producer responsibility programmes for the packaging and retail industries. With this new solution, local authorities can now actively ask their residents to put carrier bags and other films into their recycling boxes."
England set for plastic bag levy
The environmental impact of 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.
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.”
Scotland also recently announced it would introduce a plastic bag levy in October 2014, which it hopes could save the country £7 million a year, adding up £90 million over the course of the 15-year ‘forecast period’.
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.