Co-Op becomes first retailer to commit to plastics recycling action plan

The Co-Op has become the UK’s first retailer to sign up to the 'Plastic Industry Recycling Action Plan' (PIRAP) and is urging others to do the same.

The food retailer has pledged its support to the plan, which was launched collaboratively by the British Plastics Federation (BPF), PlasticsEurope and the Packaing and Films Association (PAFA) in 2015.

In doing so it volunteers to promote increasing plastics packaging recycling, in both its own operations and through supply chain collaboration.

“We are proud to support this initiative as we recognise it is essential that everyone plays their part in increasing plastic packaging recycling,” commented Iain Ferguson, Co-Op’s Environment Manager.

“We are committed to significantly increasing the recyclability of our packaging, but know that so much of the change needed must come from working together as an industry. We may be the first retailer to sign up to PIRAP but we also want to use this opportunity to call on other retailers and suppliers to move with us.

“We’re already working on some interesting innovations with our packaging and we have a history of doing the right thing when it comes to making recycling easier for our customers – the PIRAP plan includes work we have already started and also lays out some targets for us to focus on.”

Support growing

By signing the action plan, Co-Op becomes the 47th supporter of the initiative. Other companies that have recently commited include LINPAC Packaging, Surrey Waste Partnership and Monoworld Recycling.  

Helen Jordan of the British Plastics Federation said: “PIRAP was launched in 2015 to provide a collaborative approach to meeting the Government's plastic packaging targets. PIRAP was the first time that the whole plastic packaging supply chain was brought together and shows how each stage of the supply chain can impact on recycling.

“There are 47 supporters of PIRAP and progress has been made by all parts of the supply chain. We encourage more companies and organisations to get involved in PIRAP.”