Recoup survey: Nearly 500,000 t of rigid plastics were collected for recycling in 2015

EDGWARE (Scrap Monster): Recycling of Used Plastics Limited (Recoup) has released the results of the latest UK Household Plastics Collection Survey. According to the survey, the collection rate for rigid plastic packaging from UK households increased marginally by around 1% from 44% in 2014 to 45% in 2015. A total of nearly 500,000 t of rigid plastics were collected for recycling in 2015. The boost in collection rate was mainly on account of increased collection of plastic pots, tubs and trays, which rose by 0.8% to 159,465 t.

According to the survey, a total of 499,625 tonnes of plastic packaging was collected for recycling during the entire year 2015. This is marginally higher by 1.4% when compared with the collection of 492,623 tonnes during the prior year. Plastic bottles accounted for 340,160 tonnes, whereas the balance 159,645 tonnes accounted for pots, tubs and trays. The collection level of plastic bottles recorded 0.8% jump from 337,447 t in 2014. The collection of pots, tubs and trays has increased by 2.8% when matched with 155,176 t during 2014. However, the growth in collection of plastic bottles slowed down when compared with 3% growth reported during previous years. Also, the 2.8% growth rate of pots, tubs and trays was the smallest increase recorded in recent years. The collection level had surged by 11% and 12% in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

The collection rate for bottles stood at 57%, whereas the rate for pots, tubs and trays was 30%. Overall collection rate for rigid plastic was 45% in 2015. According to Recoup survey, consumption and collection tonnages totaled 594,000 t and 340,160 t respectively. The overall consumption and collection tonnage of pots, tubs and trays totaled 525,000 and 159,465 respectively. The recycling rates of plastic bottle and plastic pots, tubs and trays remained unchanged. However, the overall recycling rate of rigid plastics increased from 44% to 45% over the year.

As per the survey, over 13 billion plastic bottles are used each year in the UK, that’s 36 million plastic bottles every day. Nearly 7.5 billion plastic bottles were collected for recycling in 2015, that’s over 20 million bottles every day. Over 5.5 billion household plastic bottles were not collected from UK households, that’s over 15 million plastic bottles every day. In short, average UK household uses nearly 500 plastic bottles every year, out of which only 280 is recycled.

Out of the 340,160 tonnes of plastic bottles collected in 2015, kerbside collection schemes accounted for 312,160 tonnes, whereas the balance 28,000 tonnes came from non-kerbside schemes. The collection of plastic bottles through kerbside schemes has increased by 2,713 tonnes from 309,446 tonnes during the previous year. England accounted for nearly 83% of the kerbside plastic bottle collection in the UK. The breakdown of other regions is: Scotland (7.8%), Wales (6.3%) and Northern Ireland (3%).

Out of the 159,465 tonnes of plastic pots, tubs and trays collected in 2015, kerbside collection schemes accounted for 147,465 tonnes, whereas the balance 12,000 tonnes came from non-kerbside schemes. The collection of plastic pots, tubs and trays through kerbside schemes has increased significantly by 4,288 tonnes from 143,177 tonnes during 2014.