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WASTE RECYCLING


Good intentions must not fail at point of disposal


CROMWELL Polythene Managing Director, James Lee, explores simple steps that can be taken to reduce plastic packaging waste. The West Yorkshire-based MD explains how plastic packaging has become part of modern lifestyles thanks to its convenience, robustness, lightweight characteristics, and low economic processing cost. However, that does not mean it should be less valued or discarded any more than other items. Just as the use of plastic has increased, so too have environmental concerns connected with its production, distribution and disposal.


We all want to see the recovery, reuse and recycling of all types of packaging – and not for materials to end up in landfi ll or the oceans. Lightweight plastic products make a huge


diff erence to recycling rates, helping organisations to segregate diff erent types of waste eff ectively.


Responsibly managed plastic


Plastic products can have a high-recycled content (up to 100%) and may also be recycled themselves. Responsibly produced plastic packaging also brings value and effi ciencies to the supply chain – weighing less than alternatives like glass and metal, it also extends shelf life and minimises food waste. Where recycling of plastic packaging is not technically environmentally/ economically practicable (TEEP test), the calorifi c value can be recovered to generate electricity or heat at the end of their use-life, through energy-from-waste (EfW) plants. Sacks, bags and speciality products for the storage and collection of segregated waste must be fi t for purpose, with the lowest environmental impact. We have been among the leading protagonists of closed-loop recycling, having used recovered waste packaging in the production of our recycled black refuse sacks for many years. We also work with several organisations, from SMEs to larger companies across the waste and recycling sector. We have pioneered the need for increased performance from polymers at lower thicknesses to reduce the amount of plastic used. Our LowCO2t™


36 SHWM November, 2018


environmentally-friendly plastics range – including several varieties of refuse sacks – is a case in point. These lightweight products require less material but achieve the same high performance standards. Put simply, less plastic is used to achieve the same, or better result. This means that the LowCO2t™ range is highly cost effective and offers great value for money. With a growing demand for a reduction in the volumes of plastic in circulation, LowCO2t™ offers organisations a more resource- efficient and responsible alternative to some of the bigger, bulkier products in the marketplace. Looking at the bigger picture advantages, the lightweight nature also means fewer carbon emissions during production and transport. The products come packaged in smaller cartons too, which increases transport and storage efficiency. Taking this approach means Cromwell Polythene’s products are made from the most effi cient use of resource and provide a robust alternative to sacks made from other blends of polythene. Additionally, for every tonne of recycled plastic, there is a 1.5 tonne saving in CO2, while thinner products weigh less, take up less space, and therefore can be transported in larger quantities – requiring fewer trips. The real recycling challenges to mechanical recycling come with complicated multi-material packaging, treatments and additives that cannot easily be recycled – if at all – and end up in landfi ll, or even worse as litter in the wider environment.


Improving segregation at disposal


Time and again, items that could be recycled are being placed in the incorrect bins. Improving segregation at the point of disposal across all sectors – from hazardous waste in healthcare to household recycling will achieve a better outcome for all. Poor segregation leads to increased costs of disposal for many business facilities and may even result in prosecution if the waste is ‘mixed’ and deemed no longer suitable for the waste treatment or disposal option that has been selected. In healthcare settings segregation onsite is vital to maintain compliance with clinical waste regulation. There are plenty of reputable organisations that can help a facility put in place waste reduction strategies, including segregated waste collection services, which help with awareness- raising campaigns in facilities. Increased participation and volumes of separate collection of food-waste are made possible through the use of sacks and bin liners, which are made from biodegradable and compostable bags using the very latest technology to produce sustainable solutions.


Plastics in the future


Demand for plastic is set to continue to grow, and so too is innovation in collection, sorting and processing technologies to make all plastic packaging recyclable. The challenge for buyers across vertical industry sectors is not to look for costly and ineff ective alternatives to plastics, but to opt to use responsibly-sourced materials and become champions of recycling best practice. www.cromwellpolythene.co.uk


www.skiphiremagazine.co.uk


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