BPF Recycling Group members hit 500,000 tonnes of recovered plastics

The British Plastics Federation's Recycling Group (BPFRG) has released the results of its 2011 Annual Return Survey, which saw its members recycling a total of 517,000 tonnes of plastics and breaking the half a million tonne barrier for the first time.

The 2011 survey, which was completed by approximately 87 percent of the Group’s membership by turnover, obtained information and statistics on the total tonnage of plastics recovered by its members.

Group Chairman, Roger Baynham, said: “The BPFRG continues to see strong growth in its membership and this survey reinforces our position at the forefront of the UK plastics recycling industry. However, the increased packaging recycling targets set by the government are challenging and will only be achieved by creating a credible route map which must address the UK’s over-reliance on export markets for its plastics waste.”

The BPFRG has identified the key issues influencing growth and its proposals for reform of the PRN/PERN system that would, it believes, re-balance the system such that UK reprocessors are fairly incentivised and packaging manufacturers, brand owners and retailers are engaged.

The Group encourages co-operation between recyclers and processors, as well as with stakeholders throughout the supply chain, in its aim to encourage and incentivise the use of recycled plastics.