In its new UK Household Plastic Packaging Collection Survey report, RECOUP estimates that 750,000 tonnes of post-consumer plastic packaging are not currently collected for recycling.
Plastic resource efficiency and recycling charity RECOUP say this allows a “huge opportunity” for upcoming legislative changes, to help bridge the gap between the UK’s current capture rate and what plastic packaging is placed on the market each year.
The newly launched report has found that over 600,000 tonnes of household plastic packaging were collected for recycling in 2021, an increase of 4% from the previous year. This is an overall collection rate of 43% for all household plastic packaging in the UK that is captured at kerbside, RECOUP says.
With recycling targets set to increase year-on-year, up to 62% in 2030 proposed in upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, RECOUP says greater volumes of currently uncollected material will need to be captured.
It’s reassuring to see that, despite the significant challenges seen over the last few years, collection volumes continue to increase, albeit gradually
The report found that in 2021 over 200,000 tonnes of plastic bottles, 250,000 tonnes of plastic pots, tubs and trays, and over 300,000 tonnes of plastic films and flexibles were not collected. RECOUP says this offers “huge potential” for increasing capture rates with the correct legislative drivers.
The report also found that local authorities experience material reject rates of up to 35%, with an average of 13%. RECOUP says this highlights the need for clear and consistent communications to citizens to help reduce contamination and improve material quality.
Commenting on the report, Tom McBeth, Policy & Infrastructure Projects Manager, said: “It’s reassuring to see that, despite the significant challenges seen over the last few years, collection volumes continue to increase, albeit gradually. What is now important, is it is not allowed to stagnate.
“With the current flurry of information and activity from Defra, particularly relating to the introduction of EPR and the funding mechanisms and mandated collection of plastic films for recycling at kerbside, hopefully, local authorities and waste management providers will have the confidence and assurance to adapt and invest in their collection schemes, to see the capture of more of these currently lost resources.”
