The Plastics Industry Recycling Action Plan (PIRAP) highlights ways to improve collection rates, optimise sorting infrastructure and develop end markets for plastic recyclate. (Scroll down for full document)

The action plan is the brainchild of Plastics 2020, a body made up the British Plastics Federation (BPF), the Packaging and Films Association (PAFA), and the Waste and Resources Action Plan (WRAP).

WRAP packaging programme manager Claire Shrewsbury said “The plan will drive this kind of collaboration and strengthen links across the entire plastics supply chain, ensuring more valuable plastic is recycled into second life applications.”

Based on trends before the introduction of the new plan, UK recycling rates for plastic packaging would be 38% in 2017, according to WRAP.

Philip Law, BPF’s director general added: “Recycling is the absolutely essential component of the ‘sustainability story’. It’s a great achievement to secure an agreed document in an area which has become a political football.

“Plastics packaging recycling levels are a function of so many factors and the support of a very large number of organisations has to be harnessed to make significant progress.”

Industry backing

The document is already supported by several packaging-heavy and waste-disposal organisations, including Coca Cola Enterprises, the Food and Drinks Federation and Veolia.

Barry Turner, PAFA’s chief executive said: “Despite the ink on the final document being barely dry I am pleased to see that so many stakeholders have come forward. This looks promising for the next steps which need to focus on actions to support the achievement of these challenging targets”.

Plastics 2020 will now be engaging directly with the main trade bodies representing key stakeholders, in order to establish a number of joint actions that can be taken to ensure a year-on-year growth in recycled plastics.

PIRAP_Plastics Industry Recycling Action Plan

Brad Allen

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