RECYCLING
Hannah Osman
Valpak says that while individual cups are small items, recycling produces a 50% reduction compared with virgin use.
figures into the required format. Despite a perception that single-use
cups are not recyclable, we already have the capacity to recycle all of the single-use cups generated in the UK. Fibre-composites are typically made from virgin paper fibre with a plastic lining, usually of polyethylene. According to Valpak research produced for WRAP, and revealed in the report, ‘Single-use cups, and on-the-go fibre-composite food packaging’, approximately 3.2 billion units – or 35.3 thousand tonnes of fibre- composite, and seven tonnes of plastic cups, were placed on the market in 2019. With over 61,000 tonnes of recycling capacity for cups, the UK could easily process this volume of waste. However, for the system to work effectively, we need more collection points. Data held by the National Cup Recycling Scheme estimates that the UK’s current collection points provide a minimum capacity for 1.6 million fibre-composite cups. For plastic cups, the figures are lower. Other research produced by the scheme backs this up, with over 68% of respondents citing a shortage of cup recycling bins as the greatest barrier to recycling.
How can cup recycling help the NHS reach Net Zero? For a creature as complex as the NHS, achieving Net Zero is no mean feat. As well as the need to meet government targets, however, the NHS recognises the connection between climate change and health. As a result, the service aims to become the world’s first Net Zero national health service. It has set challenging targets, pledging to reach Net Zero by 2040, and to achieve an 80% reduction in the emissions it is able to control directly by 2028-2032. For emissions it
78 Health Estate Journal March 2024
can influence, it is targeting reaching Net Zero by 2045, with a reduction of 80% by 2036-2039. Despite making significant strides
already, the NHS still needs to remove emissions roughly equivalent to the emissions profile of Croatia. Estates and facilities management teams have been identified as one of the greatest areas for action. Individual cups are small items, but recycling produces a 50% reduction compared with virgin use. When you consider that one Trust with three hospitals and over 5,000 staff can produce around 1,000 cups a day, making sure that single-use cups are recycled should be a straightforward decision.
Alternatives To fulfil the waste hierarchy, reuse should always be the first option, and across the NHS portfolio, Trusts are exploring the potential of reusables. We hope to see reuse increase in coming years, but feedback from Trusts shows that single-use cups are unlikely to be fully eliminated from hospital catering. While single-use remains a part of the system, it is important to set up a viable recycling system. With an established recycling route
in place, compostables can also offer an attractive alternative. However, it is important to check that effective processing facilities exist; compostables entering fibre-composite recycling systems contaminate material. The government consultation response for EPR for Packaging highlighted the fact that compostable and biodegradable packaging would be labelled ‘Do not recycle’ until infrastructure is in place UK- wide.
While the delay to legislation has
led to uncertainty, the government has previously stated an intention to
Hannah Osman is Valpak’s National Cup Recycling manager. With a proven track record of driving positive environmental change, she plays a pivotal role in the sustainability landscape, spearheading innovative initiatives to enhance cup recycling practices across the UK. At Valpak, Hannah collaborates closely with ‘eight influential brands’ that co-fund the National Cup Recycling Scheme. Her leadership extends to conceptualising and executing ground-breaking projects and campaigns that raise awareness and significantly elevate cup recycling rates throughout the nation. In her role, she manages and nurtures relationships with key stakeholders, including waste collectors and paper mills involved in handling paper cups. Working with businesses across diverse sectors, she tailors cup recycling solutions that encompass internal education, strategic bin placement, consumer enlightenment, and engagement with waste collectors.
A lynchpin of her role is liaising closely with DEFRA and various stakeholders within the paper cup industry. Valpak says her contributions are ‘instrumental in shaping legislation and guidance that drive the industry forward, and facilitate a smooth transition towards mandatory cup takeback practices’.
introduce a recycling target for fibre-based composite packaging. As EPR comes into effect, the requirement for data will increase. Pressure from consumers is already driving Trusts to look at recycling schemes, but an increasing number of the NHS organisations that approach Valpak’s Cup Take-back Membership Scheme are looking for data solutions. Whether we communicate success in units, or tonnages, reporting will take greater precedence.
Image ©James Cropper
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