Procuring a sustainable future
What does it mean to be truly sustainable? RPC bpi recycled products looks into its true meaning, and explains how they are leading the way on plastics recycling.
Officially, ‘sustainability’ is the process of managing change in a way which utilises resources and technological developments to enhance current and future potential, to meet human needs and aspirations. If that is a bit of a mouthful then, in a nutshell, it means looking after resources, so that we can continue to thrive and grow.
In recent years, the ‘Circular Economy’ has been driving change to smooth the path of sustainability. Similar to the long-established waste hierarchy, which promoted the concept of reduce, reuse and recycle, circular economy thinking takes things a step further – considering the entire lifecycle of the product, with a particular focus on the design stage.
Earlier this year, the European Commission introduced an ambitious Circular Economy Package, which included targets for EU member states to recycle 65% of municipal and 75% of packaging waste by 2030. Projections also show that a new approach could save businesses billions of euros each year.
To achieve a circular system, the whole supply chain needs to be involved. Support for recycling systems is not enough – companies also need to assess procurement practices. Buying ‘second life’ recycled products helps to bridge a huge gap in the system, saving valuable resources and injecting income into the national economy.
For cleaning firms, sustainable procurement means auditing purchase arrangements – from bins and refuse sacks, to electrical equipment and cleaning solutions. With recent attention turned to plastics and the negative impact of marine litter, dealing with waste close to source has become more important than ever. As increasing numbers of businesses look beyond cost metrics to include
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sustainability credentials in core business goals, demands on suppliers are changing. As a result, tenders are starting to reflect a requirement for environmental accountability across the business.
To understand the value of second life products, it’s important to consider the whole lifecycle of a product, from manufacture through to disposal at the end of its life. Recycled refuse sacks offer a major opportunity to utilise recycled plastics which are not suitable for food grade applications.
RPC bpi recycled products recycles plastics into high performance finished goods such as refuse sacks at its UK manufacturing sites. In addition to producing 30m refuse sacks each week, it is also the largest recycler of waste polythene film in Europe – processing over 120,000 tonnes each year.
The award-winning Green Sack range is manufactured from recycled British farm waste plastics. The finished product has a carbon footprint of at least 35% less than any other refuse sack in the UK and significantly lower than most other 100% recycled refuse sacks, which typically travel thousands of product miles from east Asia to their final destination.
The Green Sack is validated through the Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers’ Association (CHSA) standards. Certification offers a guarantee that products conform to the highest industry standards, with new members audited four times a year in the first year, and at least twice annually thereafter.
While procurement plays an important role in cementing a commitment to circular economy thinking and building greater resilience throughout the supply chain,
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