This represents a 6% increase on the 39% collected in 2008 (see letsrecycle.com story) and has been attributed to increasing consumer awareness of recycling and continuing efforts by councils and waste management companies to drive up recycling rates. The high prices paid for recovered PET bottles is also understood to have played a part (see letsrecycle.com story).
The study showed a particular increase in material collected through kerbside systems, from 169,000 tonnes in 2008 to over 215,000 tonnes in 2009.
Meanwhile, 84 local authorities were found to be actively collecting non-bottle plastics for recycling – known as mixed plastics – with over 40,000 tonnes collected in 2009. This is up from 22,000 tonnes being collected by just 49 local authorities in 2008.
Positive
Commenting on the results so far, Marcel Arsand of Recoup said “These represent the initial headlines from the 2010 survey.
“We are encouraged that there appears to be positive and steady progress in the UK, a reflection of the good work of all those involved across the local authority and Waste Management sectors, and of the course the consumers who are recognising the importance of recycling and playing their part.”
Recoup's members are involved in all areas of plastic manufacture, use, disposal and recycling and range from Tesco and M&S to North Yorkshire county council and the British Plastics Federation's Recycling Council. The organisation provides guidance and research to help maximise efficient plastics recycling.
A detailed report and comment will be available in October as a download from the Recoup website.
Register for free to comment