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In the UK, new research from WRAP (Waste & Resources Action
Programme) reveals that recycling household plastics can be
cost-effective as well as environmentally friendly.
The UK produces around 1.4m tonnes of mixed plastic packaging
waste every year – including yoghurt pots, salad bags and
ready-meal trays - and this figure is growing by 2-5% every
year. Although it makes up only 9% of household weight by
waste, its volume means that it stands out in the average
person’s bin.
WRAP undertook the research to see if it made financial sense
to recycle this waste and, if recycling it would be better
for the environment than other options – such as burning it
or sending it to landfill. In particular, WRAP wanted to see
if these ordinary household items could be recycled to make
new ones, rather than having to use virgin plastics every
time. There is currently a ‘Catch 22’ situation - with
few local authorities prepared to collect plastic waste other
than bottles, as there is limited potential for them to be
recycled. However, this means there is a lack of such plastics
available for companies to attempt to do so.
The WRAP research included trials of sorting different types
of plastics, an analysis of the type of technology needed,
an estimate of running-costs, and modelling of the financial
rate of return. It also compared the environmental impacts
of different ways of dealing with this type of plastic waste,
including burning it and sending it to landfill. The research
showed that, in addition to the environmental benefits, recycling
can be cheaper than both these options.
Overall, landfill is the least favourable option for disposing
of plastics waste. However, in terms of global warming potential,
the research found that incineration of plastic packaging
was the worst option. This is because more CO2
is emitted by burning plastics than by burning gas or coal
to generate the same amount of energy.
The research showed that, on balance, the best environmental
option is to invest in technology to produce high-quality
recycled plastics - but there will still be a need for solid
recovered fuel (SRF) in some cases. Consequently, it makes
sense to build integrated plants capable of both options,
as this improves the economic benefit and maximises the environmental
impact.
Unveiling the research for the first time at a high-level
conference of industry professionals, Liz Goodwin, CEO WRAP,
said - “This is the first time that we have been able to prove
that recycling mixed plastics is not only possible, but cost-effective
and makes good environmental sense. The amount of plastic
packaging we see in our bins is frustrating, as there is currently
nothing most of us can do about it.
"However, this new research is a first step towards
getting that plastic out of the household bin and back in
use. This will reduce the need for us to use large amounts
of energy producing new plastics and the oil required in their
content.”
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