Over two thirds of UK Plastics recycling undertaken by BPF Recycling Group Members

Member groups of the British Plastics Federation’s Recycling Group collectively carry out over two thirds of the UK’s plastics recycling, according to survey results published today.

According to the 2013 Annual Return Survey, compared to 2011 data, the Group increased the amount of used it plastics handled by 150kt compared to 2011 data, to a total of 660kt.

It is estimated that, in the same year, the total amount of plastics mechanically recycled in the UK was around 900kt, including waste arising from packaging, construction, automotive, WEEE, houseware, sports, agriculture and other sectors.

The BPFRG has grown significantly over the last year with new members including Veolia, MBA Polymers (UK), PlasGRAN, PVC-R and Polypipe. These new additions have helped the Group to become the primary voice for the UK plastics recycling industry, representing an estimated turnover of £900 million.

“BPFRG continues to be the leader in the sector with robust growth in membership even under very tough market conditions. Challenging recycling targets, which favour quantity over quality, and a flawed PRN system, are still some of the key issues facing the industry,” explained Roger Baynham, the Group’s chairman.

“In addition, exports markets are now feeling the pressure too, with a challenging Chinese market and devaluated currency, which calls for a more resilient UK reprocessing sector."

He added: "It is critical that we encourage and incentive the use of UK recycled plastics and invest in the infrastructure that will allow the UK to future proof markets for its plastics waste."

The Group encourages co-operation between recyclers and processors, as well as with stakeholders throughout the supply chain, to encourage and incentivise the use of recycled plastics. As such they are strong supporters of the Plastics Industry Recycling Action Plan and the Circular Economy and most of its work focusses on paving the way for a resilient and sustainable plastics recycling sector in the UK.