U.K. Group Targets Mixed Plastics Recycling

Recent research by the Waste & Resources Action Programme shows that recycling of domestic mixed plastics in the U.K. is environmentally and economically viable.

As a result of the research, WRAP is now starting several major projects to understand how best to implement collection of mixed plastics, to sort and reprocess these plastics, and to design and manufacture plastics packaging to be more recyclable.

In one project, WRAP aims to demonstrate the detailed business case for an integrated mixed plastics waste management solution in the U.K. Supporting large scale trials to recycle mixed plastics from both households and retail take back schemes, the project will show how these mixed plastics can be sorted and reprocessed back into new packaging and other high quality plastic materials. The trials will be undertaken by a consortium, led by Nextek Ltd, and include Sainsbury’s, Valpak, Bowman Process Technology, Closed Loop Recycling, Linpac and CeDo . The trials will include an assessment of how MRFs can incorporate mixed plastics and the best outcome for the film component in mixed plastic.

In addition, Eunomia in partnership with Resource Futures have been appointed to study the most effective way to collect mixed plastics, and are already consulting with those local authorities currently collecting mixed plastics and future possibilities with retailers. WRAP will be engaging with all interested local authorities as this work develops.