Plastics are a huge cause for concern for the environment, with five million tonnes used in the UK every year. Nearly half of this plastic is used in packaging. People in the UK throw away 290,000 tonnes of plastic bags and wrapping each year, and while local authorities are clamping down on plastic waste with stricter recycling rules for households, there is a lot that still needs to be done to reduce the amount of plastic waste produced each year.
Soft plastics cause a particular problem when it comes to recycling. They can’t be recycled in the same way as hard plastics, which means different processes need to be in place to help recycle soft plastic effectively. Advanced recycling technology can now accept soft plastics and process them into other plastic products by breaking down the plastic waste into its chemical building blocks. These products can then be traded into conventional commodity markets, providing a solution to address the plastic waste issue. Businesses can take it upon themselves to change the way they handle soft plastic recycling, as well as help their customers play their part too.
Here’s what you need to know about soft plastics recycling in the UK.
The problem with soft plastics
Soft plastics are abundant in the products we use every day. Soft plastics, also known as flexible plastics, include plastic bags, packaging film and wrapping, packing envelopes and more. These types of plastics, particularly those made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), are harder to recycle than others, and due to the current capabilities of many local authorities, most soft plastic ends up with general waste, filling landfills by the tonne. They take a long time to decompose, a problem that can also increase greenhouse gas emissions.
But while soft plastic poses a challenge for recycling, it isn’t impossible to recycle it. Thanks to initiatives like the UK Plastics Pact, it’s becoming easier for households across the UK to recycle their soft plastics at the supermarket. However, more can be done to ensure that soft plastic is recycled properly, and businesses have a big part to play in this.
What are soft plastics?
There are various types of plastics out there – most you probably encounter day to day. Soft plastics are a common example and are found in many different products. Generally, soft plastic involves thin plastic, and can be used in products such as:
· Carrier bags
· Pouches from microwavable products, pet food etc.
· Packaging from fruit and vegetables, including netting.
· Plastic sauce pouches
· Bread bags
· Bags used to package cereal and dried goods like pasta and rice.
· Wrappers from sweets and bakery products
· Cling film
· Pet food pouches
· Cheese wrapping
· Gift wrap
· Packaging from clothing and parcel bags
· Packaging and bags used to wrap products
As you can see, the question of ‘what are soft plastics’ can mean a lot of different things. Many people confuse soft plastics with harder plastics, which can make things difficult when it comes to recycling. But once you start to recognise the difference, you’ll see that it becomes easier to distinguish between soft and hard plastics so you can recycle them appropriately.
What are the benefits of recycling soft plastics?
There are a lot of benefits that come with recycling soft plastics and increasing the demand for recycled materials, including:
Reduced taxes for your business
Businesses in the UK are subject to various taxes to help improve recycling rates and cut down on waste. By recycling more of your soft plastic, you could reduce the amount of Landfill Tax you need to pay saving your business a lot of money each year. Reducing the amount of plastic packaging you use could also save you from paying Plastic Packaging Tax, bringing significant savings at a time when costs are continuing to rise for both businesses and households.
Cheaper waste collection costs
Waste collection can be a huge cost for businesses, especially for non-recyclable waste. Better waste management could help you recycle more and dispose of less, bringing further savings to your business.
Get paid to recycle your plastic waste
In addition to saving money, it is possible to actually make money through your waste collection. Some companies will pay for your soft plastic waste, which can then be reused by other companies to make products and packaging – helping to create a circular economy. The money you make can be used to cover the cost of your waste management procedures or reinvested in your business to boost your sustainability efforts.
Improve your reputation as a green company
Consumers care about sustainability, with many shoppers preferring to choose sustainable products over branded ones. By championing greener policies and taking a strong stand against plastic waste, you can help to improve the way that people view your company, and perhaps even encourage better practices amongst your competition too.
What are the challenges of recycling soft plastics?
As we discussed earlier, recycling soft plastics isn’t always that simple. So, what are the challenges to recycle soft plastics at various locations like Co-op stores, through home collection programs, and at supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles in Australia?
Contamination
Soft plastics, such as plastic bags, wrappers, and film, often contaminate other recyclable materials, making the recycling process more difficult and more expensive. It can be more difficult to clean soft plastics, so in instances where there’s a lot of food waste, for example, this could post an issue for recycling at the source, as well as for recycling centres.
Difficulty in collecting
The collection and sorting of soft plastics are more complicated due to their lightweight and flexible nature. Many local councils do not have the infrastructure to handle soft plastics, leading to limited kerbside collection options.
Lack of public awareness
Public awareness and participation are also some of the biggest problems of recycling soft plastics; many people are unsure about which soft plastics can be recycled and where to take them.
But despite the challenges that come with recycling soft plastics, there are a lot of positive elements that come with soft plastic recycling, and a collective effort to separate plastics and recycle them properly could mean more plastic is recycled overall. This can provide a big boost to recycling efforts across the nation.
Helping your customers with soft plastic recycling
Some forms of soft plastic packaging are inevitable, especially in areas like food packaging and hygiene. But where possible, you should seek to use alternative types of packaging and give your customers guidance on how to recycle your products correctly.
Alternatively, you could provide methods to recycle your customers’ plastic bags and wrapping, giving them options to help dispose of their soft packaging. With only 6% of plastic packaging being recycled now, this could make a big difference in plastic recycling rates.
Effective soft plastic disposal methods
If you’re unsure of how to recycle soft packaging, then here are some the most effective soft plastic disposal methods:
Reduce consumption
Reduce the number of soft plastics you use. If you package or manufacture products, you could opt for reusable alternatives like cloth bags and containers to minimise the use of soft plastics.
Participate in recycling programmes
Households can use dedicated recycling programmes offered by supermarkets and other organisations for items such as bread bags, crisp packets, and plastic film.
Community recycling schemes
Engage with local council initiatives that are expanding to include soft plastics in their collection services.
Advanced recycling technologies
Make the most of the recycling technologies that are out there, including waste balers and compactors that can make it easy to recycle large volumes of soft plastic. This makes the waste easier to manage, saving space and encouraging higher recycling rates.
Public Education Campaigns
Promote and participate in campaigns aimed at informing the public about which items can be recycled and the correct disposal methods.
While soft plastic recycling may not be as straightforward as hard plastic recycling, there are effective soft plastic disposal methods that can make a huge difference. Not only will awareness of soft plastic recycling increase, but people will be able to adopt different methods to reduce the amount of waste they produce overall.
Managing your plastic waste with plastic balers
If you’re looking for ways to make it easier to recycle soft plastic in your workplace, then consider using plastic balers to help you. Plastic balers can help you condense your plastic waste into manageable bales that will make it easier and cheaper for waste collection companies to collect them. They can help you save space and manage your waste easily, for a more organised workplace.
Buy or hire plastic balers with phs Wastekit
phs Wastekit is one of the leading suppliers of waste balers in the UK. We have cardboard and plastic balers that can help make waste management much simpler, and they are available to either buy or rent depending on your preferences. As part of our services, we can provide you with a free Wastesaving Audit that can help advise you on ways to improve your waste management, as well as help you save money.
Take a hard stance against soft plastics today and get in touch with phs Wastekit to discuss your individual needs.