TOMRA, the world’s leading sustainable technology company, has announced its commitment to enable 40 per cent of plastic packaging produced globally each year to be collected for recycling by 2030, with the TOMRA UK team set to play a major part in that drive.
Currently, the figure sits at 14 per cent and only two per cent of this is recycled in a ‘closed loop’, where it can be reused again for the same purpose without being downgraded to lower quality plastic.
Norway-headquartered TOMRA, which is the global leader in reverse vending machines and sensor-based sorting systems for the recycling industry, launched a UK division last year ahead of the initial roll-out of DRS in Scotland and later in England and Wales.
To solve the crisis in our oceans, we must focus on how plastic is produced and handled on land.
Truls Haug, MD of TOMRA Collection Solutions UK, said: “A circular economy for plastic is achievable, and there is every reason to be optimistic about the future, but it requires investment from industry, government and consumers. The imminent launch of DRS across Scotland, England and Wales is an encouraging move in the right direction, as the UK steps up its efforts to meet European targets for recycling. TOMRA has been enabling this change through our technology and expertise for more than 45 years – we challenge others to join us and act now.”
The company works with many global brands, plastic producers, converters and recyclers, enabling organisations to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact through their solutions and knowledge.
Truls added: “We believe now is the time for bold action on plastic pollution in our oceans. TOMRA is the world-leader in the collection and recycling of plastic packaging, particularly bottles, and we are proud to be leading the industry by launching these ambitious targets.
“To solve the crisis in our oceans, we must focus on how plastic is produced and handled on land. There is clear evidence that recycling infrastructure such as container deposit schemes drive huge improvements in recycling rates, consumer behaviour and reducing pollution.”
By 2025, TOMRA estimates its solutions will sort more than eight million tons of plastic per year from waste streams at a global level. The company also estimates it will upgrade two million tons of plastic to the quality of virgin material. Its reverse vending machines already collect 40 billion used beverage containers every year.