The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is working to maximise the amount and quality of recyclate used in UK manufacturing operations, including uses of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The demand for recycled plastic is very strong, both from UK manufacturers and overseas markets. WRAP has a number of projects over the next two years which aim to switch manufacturing processes from virgin to recycled materials, including a target to support the recycling of an additional 16 kilo tonnes of plastic bottles—an increase of 30 per cent. from current levels.
WRAP has carried out recent trials with a number of major brands using recovered PET to make new packaging for food and household products. The trials showed that using recovered PET for this kind of packaging is a viable option for manufacturers.
The UK’s first plant to recycle plastics into materials for food packaging was announced at the beginning of March, following the signing of a £12 million joint private and public sector funding agreement. The 35,000 tonne capacity London plant will increase the UK’s ability to recycle PET, which might otherwise be exported for recycling or sent to landfill.
The UK currently recycles or recovers approximately 19 per cent. of all plastic consumed, and this is set to increase to over 25 per cent. by 2010.