Global resource management company Veolia is working with luxury department store Harrods to recycle low-density polyethene (LDPE) plastic bags into picnic benches for its team members.
The partnership is part of Harrods’ sustainability strategy which aims to remove all virgin and single-use plastic from their business, as well as the ambition of becoming a net zero business. Veolia says the project will save the Harrods up to 77.42 tonnes of carbon emissions compared to using virgin materials.
Veolia says the LDPE plastic bags are “relatively simple” to recycle. Its process involves transforming the bags into plastic pellets which can then be reprocessed into “plastic lumber” suitable for making garden furniture. So far, the Harrods bags have been recycled into 10 picnic benches, which have been installed at Harrods’ distribution centre in Thatcham.
As part of our work with Harrods, we are looking for innovative ways to reuse materials which otherwise would have been wasted.
Commenting on the project, Simon Futcher, Business Development Director at Veolia UK and Ireland, said: “As part of our work with Harrods, we are looking for innovative ways to reuse materials which otherwise would have been wasted.
“Working with Harrods on this project shows the future potential of effective plastic recycling and how it can really make a difference in reducing carbon emissions, as well as providing them with the best platform to help support them with their sustainability goals.”