Tesco to Pilot Innovative Plastics Recycling Technology at Selected Stores

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  Supermarket giant Tesco has announced its decision to trial new technology that promises to be capable of recycling all types of plastics. The joint venture recycling program, in partnership with The Recycling Technologies, will be introduced this week at ten of the Tesco stores in the Swindon and Bristol areas. The innovative trial offers customers an easy way to recycle more.

As part of the trial, collection booths will be set up at stores to enable people drop off their plastic waste. The Recycling Technologies will be responsible for collection and processing of the waste into useful products. The unique recycling process turns the waste into oil called ‘Plaxx’, which in turn could be used in the manufacture of new plastic.

The state-of-the-art RT7000 machine by Recycling Technologies is capable of recycling wide range of plastics, including those considered unrecyclable such as plastic films, coloured and laminated plastic pouches and even black plastics. Initially, the machine cleans, dries and shreds up the plastic. The mixed waste is then heated up in the absence of oxygen. The long hydrocarbon chains, broken down into smaller fractions, are then vaporized and distilled.

Adrian Griffiths, Chief Executive, Recycling Technologies noted that the company is delighted to partner with Tesco to help its customers recycle more plastic waste using its specialist patented feedstock recycling process. The company’s goal is to double the UK’s plastic waste recycling capacity by 2027, he added.