DISPOSABLES AND RECYCLING Is sustainability dropping down on the priority list? E
fforts to adopt sustainable ways have dwindled as eco-friendly cups become unaffordable to vending operators, and what’s more is it is likely to take another five years before things turn
around. That is the view Herald managing director Yogesh Patel. The disposables manaufacturer and supplier chief said: “Any major steps forward in sustainability that were being made right up to, and during, the early stages of the pandemic have ground to a halt at the moment. The country has reached a crisis point and the economic burden is becoming too much for some. Many companies are desperate for the Government to pitch in and help them and there’s also a shortage of raw materials, which is a global trading issue. “Given all of the above, faced with the option of buying compostable cups at an elevated price compared to the less green options available, most vending operators and outdoor cafe and takeway providers simply can’t afford to lead with eco-friendly cups. They just don’t have the margins to play with; the difference it costs per box of cups against the less sustainable option is too high. Everything is going up so, if the cost of the cups shoot up drastically, and it all gets added onto the cost of the beverage, it will price out some customers who are already having to make difficult choices and are having to forgo certain small treats.
“In areas where people can readily afford to spend extra on sustainable produce, and who still have the disposable income to buy expensive deli sandwiches and artisan coffees, recyclable and compostable packaging will continue to be prioritised. In other areas, small businesses certainly won’t be able to absorb the increased costs and afford such principles – and neither will their customers. It’ll be another five years before the majority of vending operators can truly embrace an ethical and sustainable approach again.”
collections and recycling of flexible plastic. The disposables manaufacturer and supplier chief said: “Any major steps forward in sustainability that were being made right up to, and during, the early stages of the pandemic have ground to a halt. The country has reached a crisis point and the economic burden is becoming too much for some. Many companies are desperate for the Government to pitch in and help them and there’s also a shortage of raw materials, which is a global trading issue. Mondelēz co-funded the multi-million-pound project through
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the Flexible Plastic Fund, DEFRA, UKRI’s Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge (SSPP) and Zero Waste Scotland and is a coalition comprising the project co-founders, Ecosurety, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, RECOUP and WRAP. The pilot, which will run for the next three years, will also
benefit from a cross-section of industry stakeholders including Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC), National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO), Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and Environmental Services Association (ESA) are also involved to ensure the views of all parts of the value chain are considered. Mondelēz is a member of several leading initiatives that share a collective ambition to tackle plastic waste and create a circular economy – aiming to keep plastic within the economy and out of the environment. In 2021 its UK business co-founded the Flexible Plastic Fund, financing a £1 million fund to make flexible plastic recycling economically viable for recyclers and easier for consumers through retailer collections.
UK’s biggest flexible plastic household collection and recycling pilot launched UK Managing Director, Louise Stigant, said: “Packaging plays an
ending supplier Mondelēz International has announced its participation in a new Flexible Plastic Fund FlexCollect project, the largest pilot undertaken in the UK for household
important role; from protecting the food we buy to preventing it from becoming food waste. A high proportion of our packaging on the UK market is already designed to be recyclable, and consumers can recycle it at home. Increasing the recycling rates of our flexible packaging and creating a circular economy for this material so our packaging does not end its life in the environment is a priority for us and something we know is important to our consumers. We are excited to take this next step on this journey as part of the FlexCollect initiative.” At Mondelēz International making snacks sustainably and in the right way is at the heart of the business’ purpose – Snacking Made Right. The FPF FlexCollect project is the next step on the UK business’ journey to create a future where people and planet thrive. Both flexible packaging initiatives are part of Mondelēz International’s ‘Pack Light and Pack Right’ strategy – supporting its 2025 global goals to achieve 100% designed to be recyclable packaging, reduce the use of virgin plastic material in its overall plastic packaging portfolio by 5% (assuming constant portfolio mix), and provide consumers with recycling information. Since 2013 Mondelēz International has removed 72,100 metric
tons of packaging globally – the UK business has removed 192 tonnes of plastic and cardboard packaging since 2020. Recycling flexible plastic is a considerable challenge: it represented 22% of all UK consumer plastic packaging in 2020 but only 8% was recycled. The FPF FlexCollect project provides an opportunity for government, local authorities, packaging producers and the waste industry to build understanding of how to incorporate flexibles into existing household collections. It will develop best practices with key insights into the operational issues, yields and recyclability of flexible packaging, effective communications with residents and the costs of incorporating it into the UK’s current recycling collection systems.
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