Glasspac, the packaging promotions arm of British Glass, reports that the amount of glass recycled for packaging increased to 35% in 2001.Total tonnage recycled rose by 3.5% to 587,000 tonnes, an increase of just over 20,000 tonnes from 2000. Figures from DEFRA, which include glass collected for additional uses such as water filtration, shot blasting and aggregates, indicate that total glass recycling was 735,594 tonnes last year. The rise in recycling means that in 2001 the average jar or bottle made in the UK contained 35% recycled glass.

On the promotional front the Glassforever educational initiative designed to increase recycling through curriculum based programmes as primary schools has become available nationally through a purpose-built mobile touring unit.

In the plastics sector Recoup has been awarded £50,000 by WRAP to make kerbside schemes, including plastics, easier and more affordable to operate. Recoup will investigate the impact of introducing plastics to domestic kerbside recycling collection schemes and to develop a predictive modelling system for used by waste managers.

Recoup has also recently launched a new plastics recycling scheme using on-site compaction banks, never before used in the UK. The new type of collection bank allows users to compact bottles at the point of deposit. The potential benefit of this approach is an estimated increase in the capacity of the banks of up to 75% and enhanced economics through lower servicing charges. The banks are provided by Plastic Omnium Urban Systems.

Aluminium & steel cans

Alcan Aluminium Can Recycling has launched an award to recognise the work of its suppliers to meet the quality standards set for deliveries of used beverage cans to its recycling plant. The Quality Award recognises achievement in supplying a consistently high standard of material and also marks efforts to improve UBC quality.

The first recipient of the award was Braintree District Council whose MRF employs six staff handling an average 20 tonnes of recyclables from the borough and other districts of Essex every day. The Braintree scheme has generated 32 tonnes of aluminium UBCs in the last 12 months.

Corus Steel Packaging Recycling has produced its third report to provide information on how it has applied the income from the sale of PRNs to further develop the recycling of steel packaging.

John May, Manager at CSPR, says: “Steel packaging has made excellent recycling progress, increasing from a 25% recycling rate in 1998 to 376% in 2001.”

Copies of the PRN report are available by email to Lesley.morgan@corusgroup.com


Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe