FEATURE WASTE MANAGEMENT C


onsumers may have caught onto the recent news that McDonald’s paper straws cannot


be recycled – an example that illustrates how reducing waste is not a simple question of replacing single-use plastics with other single-use recyclables. Why is this the case? Cawleys is often asked to


explain why paper straws are failing to live up to the expectation of an environmentally friendly solution, and there are three reasons why it is often not possible to recycle a product and give it a second life use. Firstly, there may not be sufficient or accessible facilities to process the materials; secondly, it may be contaminated by other waste; and thirdly, there might not be a market for the recycled material. ‘Recyclable’ straws at the moment hit the


sweet spot – all three of these criteria apply, which means they cannot be easily recycled. Consumers think they are being environmentally responsible when there are still a number of barriers in relation to the disposal or re-use of these used ‘recyclable’ items. It is a message that is confusing for consumers and businesses alike, and one of the most frustrating issues I currently deal with. “While the materials are recyclable, their


current thickness makes it difficult for them to be processed by waste solution providers, who also help us recycle our paper cups,” a spokesperson for McDonald’s told the Press Association. “They [also] cannot currently be processed by waste solution providers or local authorities unless collected separately.” This is the crux of the issue; whilst the straws


are technically made from 100 per cent recyclable material, the infrastructure to recycle them on a national, commercial level does not yet exist. In order to actually recycle these straws, they would have to be individually separated from cups and other waste streams at the point of disposal, without contamination. The straws would then need to be collected and transported in separate containers to all other waste, before being processed at a facility equipped to deal with such material– of which the UK has very few at present. The recycling theory is there, but the large-


scale infrastructure needed to recycle the 1.8 million straws used by McDonalds every day in the UK has not kept pace with the sale and use of paper straws. Of course, it is a positive step to see


McDonalds switching to an arguably better solution – but those responsible for these decisions need to take more time in their research. Although paper straws are technically recyclable, it also important to remember that the fact they are contaminated with food at the point of disposal also excludes any ability to recycle them. You simply cannot recycle dirty and wet packaging and this needs to be communicated to the public. In short, the restaurant chain has attempted to


be more environmentally friendly, but in reality, simply switched from supplying plastic straws to paper straws that are all destined for landfill. Stuart Foster, CEO at Transcend Packaging


24 WINTER 2019 | INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE


THE STRAW FLAW


Anna Cawley, director of Customer Service at Cawleys Waste & Resource Management, tells us why paper straws might not be an easy solution to reducing single-use plastic waste


who manufactures these straws told journalist Will Bedingfield (Wired.co.uk): “Through recent media, consumer and political pressure to implement alternatives to plastics, decisions have been made to move away from this material often without having the time to gather all the evidence on full life cycle impacts, or having time to identify the best long term options. “The approach for all corporates must


be about zero tolerance of plastic waste […] increasing consumer education […] and putting the right collection and handling infrastructure in place [...].” For meaningful change to take effect, every


person, in every company, at every stage in the closed loop circle has a responsibility for communicating a single clear message. From waste management providers, manufacturers, packaging, retailers through to trade associations we have to clearly and repeatedly explain that we need clean and well- segregated waste streams. Waste management providers must take a leading role in educating customers and the


wider public. Cawleys is playing its part with its ‘Small Action Big Impact’ campaign – a behaviour change programmer which 2,000 people have signed up to so far this year. However, it is not just waste management


companies who have a responsibility to communicate clear messages about recycling. Packaging suppliers and users of packaging need to be clear about what is happening with materials once it is disposed of. Compostables could be part of the answer if


they are segregated at source, and if there is the infrastructure and ability to collect them – but only then would wet and contaminated packaging be composted or ‘recycled’ successfully. However, at the moment, there is a lack of


infrastructure to support this and it does not seem to be the most viable option for improving recycling rates. Perhaps the most effective practice is to return to the familiar call to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – in that order – and encourage consumers not to switch plastic for paper straws, but to ditch them altogether.


Cawleys www.cawleys.co.uk / INDUSTRIALCOMPLIANCE


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