Chase Plastics - Logistically Viable (Eastern Region) Commercial and Retail Polythene Recycling
The aim is to recover at least 1000 tonnes of polythene packaging scrap and assess the opportunities and barriers to recovering polythene scrap in the Eastern Region.
Background
This project intends to identify organisations within the East of England that currently landfill polythene scrap and recover that material for recycling. The viability of this activity will depend on a number of factors including the distance from reprocessor, quality of material, quantity of material and willingness of organisations to change their site waste management activities.
Objectives
To identify new sources of retail; distribution; packer and filler packaging polythene scrap in the Eastern Region for recycling.
The development & use of a database of material arising / potential polythene scrap suppliers and the identification of the viable opportunities for collection of material (through phone discussions and site meetings)
This project will produce a replicable method for sourcing polythene scrap and analyse the parameters and limitations of regional material sourcing, especially from smaller suppliers.
The data produced will; identify primary target sectors, quantify load weights, review training techniques, review the opportunity to divert material from export, and assess the viability of centralised collection facilities.
Update - October 2005
Of over 1700 companies contacted, 370 were posted on to the database as potential sources. Many of these have very small amounts of waste and at the moment are not worth pursuing; however they still expressed an interest in recycling.
At the moment there are 65 companies that either already supply material or are in discussion with Chase Plastics with a view to recycling material in the future.
The Retail/Manufacturing Sector has been a good source of material and the furniture sector has provided 3 new suppliers each delivering between 3 and 5 tonne loads. Two supermarket depots now send the material to Chase Plastics instead of exporting it which is encouraging.
Chase Plastics have invested in two new small balers to help such companies make a start. The balers will be supplied for a trial period in order for the companies to assess how much packaging waste they are generating.
There are still many potential leads from the original research yet to be followed up so it is hoped that further material can be secured and a suitable location for trialling a centralised collection point can be found.
Documents
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Commercial and Retail PC Waste Procurement in the Eastern Region Final Report
633 kb
The emphasis of the project was to locate new sources of suitable plastic packaging film waste which could supply UK recyclers directly, reducing reliance on Export Traders and Merchants who are increasingly sending material for export to secure PERN revenue.
