Recoup AGM calls for greater involvement of plastics packaging industry in domestic recycling << Back to Main News Page Added: Friday, 11 July 2003 Plastic packaging will be a major visible waste left in the household bin by 2008 unless efforts are made now to increase collections. Failure to enhance domestic plastics recycling will lead to a decline in public and political acceptability of plastics and will damage the competitiveness of the plastics supply chain in the future. That was the stark warning given at the Recoup AGM by Andrew Simmons, Recoup CEO. Without a significant rise in the opportunity for householders to recycle plastics, it will be incorrectly viewed as more harmful to the environment than its other material counterparts leading to more political intervention and regulation. Paul Smith, European Environmental Manager for Coca Cola Enterprise, also raised his concerns that the UK was missing a major opportunity and highlighted the growth in can and glass container recycling was far outstripping plastic bottle recycling. He noted high levels of plastic bottle recycling in other parts of Europe and also CCE's interest in using recycled PET in its bottles if supplies of recyclate were available. Smith recognised that there are many markets for recycled plastic, and called for greater implementation of multi-material collection schemes to meet the market demand. It is clear that a step change in activity is required from a joint local council and industry base to address the shortfall of collection of domestic plastics waste. Richard Bird, DEFRA’s Director Environment Quality & Waste, in his key-note speech delivered at the event highlighted the importance of taking action now. Mr Bird said, 'I should, therefore, stress that the decision not to alter the 2003 targets does not mean that we can simply sit back. It is true that collection from the household waste stream is more expensive than simply collecting commercial and industrial waste, but, quite frankly, the UK will not be able to meet the Directive targets unless local authorities and those involved with the Packaging Regulations work together to find ways of extracting more packaging from the household waste stream. While some local authorities have taken the initiative in implementing schemes to recycle plastic, it is fair to say that, collectively, local authorities do less on this than on other materials in the waste stream. However, judging by the correspondence that DEFRA receives from consumers, their main concern is to ensure that plastics arising in their waste bins are reduced. This does not mean that we should be aiming to eliminate plastics, but it does mean that we should be doing more to demonstrate to consumers that, for example, plastics are eminently recyclable – if they are actually collected.' Mr Bird also highlighted the value DEFRA places on Recoup's work, 'Recoup plays a vital role in the national development of effective plastics waste management, bringing together a broad range of activities with the aim of increasing the recycling of plastics. They have certainly been successful in raising public and industry awareness of the value of recycling plastic, not least to achieve our goals for a sustainable environment. Plastics recycling is an increasingly important area and Recoup has an essential role to play if we are to deliver our targets at national and international level.'