Manchester pioneers in packaging sustainability and recycling services are joining forces on Global Recycling Day to tackle one of the UK’s least recycled plastics.
Packaging manufacturer Duo UK and social enterprise EMERGE Recycling are teaming up to collect and recycle Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), as part of a new pilot designed to boost recycling rates in the region.
Previous reports from trade body WRAP have shown that almost 95% of LDPE isn’t recycled. The plastic is used in everyday products, including carrier bags, shrink wrap, bottles, containers and tubing.
The innovative recycling pilot will see LDPE films collected from 30 businesses across Greater Manchester in the build-up to Global Recycling Day (18 March), with the material then recycled into new packaging manufactured by Duo in Manchester to be used by businesses and consumers across the UK.
The pilot will be rolled out more widely across Greater Manchester to help businesses ahead of changing Simpler Recycling regulations for sorting and separating waste, which take effect from 31st March.
Zoe Brimelow, director at Duo UK, commented: “Low-Density Polyethylene is widely used in many common products, but levels of recycling have been historically low. In large part this is down to poor infrastructure, as the waste material has to be separated from other types of plastics before being recycled.
“A lack of public awareness has also contributed to low recycling rates, whether that’s consumer, commercial or industrial waste. The aim of this partnership is to use our collective resources, expertise and passion to strengthen closed-loop recycling in the region by engaging with small, medium and large companies that generate plastic waste and do not have the facilities or know-how to recycle it.”
Zoe added: “As a business, we use a significant amount of post-consumer recycled pellets, turning this material into new packaging products. In fact, year on year, this has increased to over 30% of our total material usage. This campaign with EMERGE will enable more valuable waste to be kept in the economy and available to manufacturers like us to use to create brand new products reducing dependency on virgin materials.”
The polyethylene will be collected by EMERGE and baled at its East Manchester depot, ready for recycling at Duo’s reprocessing plant.
Lucy Danger, Chief Executive at EMERGE, which provides waste and recycling collection services across Greater Manchester, said: “Our vision as a social enterprise is to help organisations implement the Real 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle. By segregating materials at source, we optimise their inherent value, whilst also reducing the negative impact of waste incineration. Waste segregation also gives visibility and data allowing operations to identify opportunities to achieve behavioural change and minimise unnecessary waste costs. By working with our partners at Duo in this way, our customers will reduce their carbon impact, save money, and contribute towards social value locally.
“Together with Duo, we have an excellent opportunity to reach a greater number of businesses in the region, providing them with a way of recycling LDPE easily and cost-effectively, while at the same time reintroducing waste material back into the circular economy. It’s a win-win for everybody.”