RECOUP published the results of a survey of local authorities on household plastic packaging collection yesterday (8 December).
The survey found that more than 200,000 tonnes of plastic bottles, 250,000 tonnes of plastic pots, tubs and trays, and more than 300,000 tonnes of plastic films and flexibles were not collected.
RECOUP says this shows there is “huge potential” for increasing capture rates with the “correct legislative drivers”.
More than 600,000 tonnes of household plastic packaging was collected for recycling in 2021, the survey found, an increase of 4% on 2020. This means there was an overall collection rate of 43%, RECOUP says.
Tom McBeth, RECOUP’s policy and infrastructure projects manager, said: “It’s reassuring to see that, despite the significant challenges seen over the last few years, collection volumes continue to increase, albeit gradually.”
The survey also found that local authorities experience ‘material reject rates’ of up to 35%, with an average of 13%, “highlighting the need for clear and consistent communications to citizens to help reduce contamination and improve material quality.”
Legislation
RECOUP says greater volumes of currently uncollected material will need to be captured with recycling targets set to increase year-on-year, up to 62% in 2030 proposed in the upcoming legislation on extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging.
The survey found 85% of local authority respondents were supportive or strongly supportive of EPR’s introduction.
Mr McBeth added: “What is now important is [that collection volumes] are not allowed to stagnate.
“With the current flurry of information and activity from Defra, particularly relating to the introduction of EPR and the funding mechanisms and mandated collection of plastic films for recycling at kerbside, hopefully local authorities and waste management providers will have the confidence and assurance to adapt and invest in their collection schemes to see the capture of more of these currently lost resources.”
Local authorities
RECOUP has surveyed all 374 local authorities in the UK on household plastic packaging collection every year since 1995. It says the response rate for this year’s survey was 76%.
The survey also found the collection rate for all rigid plastic packaging only in 2021 was around 53%. The collection rate for HDPE drinks bottles was 78%, for PET drinks bottles was 75% and for non-drinks bottles was 45%.
Every council collects plastic bottles for recycling at the kerbside, RECOUP found. Eighty-eight per cent collect plastic pots, tubs and trays, 11% collect plastic plant pots and 3% collect coffee capsules.
Just 13% collect plastic films and flexibles. RECOUP says this is a slight decrease on 2020 and the fifth consecutive year of decline.
