TNT delivers social value by closing loop on plastic mail bag waste

The outsourcing division of TNT Express Services UK & Ireland has teamed up with plastics reprocessor Centriforce to take the initiative forward.

Used polylope bags left over from TNT Business Solutions’ inter-site mail service provided to key clients, such as Barclays Bank, are sent for recovery at Centriforce’s Liverpool site where they are remanufactured into a variety of products.

Under the scheme, more than 342 tonnes of plastic waste were recycled last year with 162 tonnes so far this year.

As part of TNT Express Services UK & Ireland’s policy, any money made from recycling is donated to the Wooden Spoon children’s charity. Last year, TNT’s corporate fundraising topped £3.25m for the Spoon.

According to Centriforce’s managing director Simon Carroll, no other business is linking charity fundraising with recycling in this way.

“Many people are unaware that the vast majority of plastics waste is shipped overseas,” he said.

“This scheme has been running successfully for the past six years and we hope it can set an example that both other logistics operators and the wider financial services sector could follow.”

Maxine Perella