The six month trial will begin in April and will specifically target rigid plastics such as bakery trays and wheeled bins.
Traditionally bulky items have been a no-go area for recycling because the transport costs were just not economically viable
Paul Davidson, WRAP
According to WRAP these items take up a lot of space when transported and can prove expensive. It is hoped that by shredding the plastics first, and saving space, collection and transport will be much more economical.
Paul Davidson, material sector manager for plastic at WRAP, said: “Traditionally these bulky items have been a no-go area for recycling because the transport costs were just not economically viable. We hope that this trial will demonstrate a feasible solution and provide reprocessors with additional plastics for recycling.”
A mobile shredding unit will be mounted on a curtain sided lorry. The unit will shred the plastics at customers' premises and collect the shredded material in bags for haulage.
Targets
Through the trial WRAP intends to produce a report on commercial and industrial rigid plastics collection, processing techniques & costs and the practical & economic viability of the use of mobile granulation technology to process rigid plastics.
The company has set itself a target of collecting around 100 tonnes of plastic a month on the trial and has said that if successful it would seek to continue using the mobile shredding facility.
Keith Freegard director of Axion Recycling said: “Based on the early feedback from the market place, we believe that shredding 600 tonnes of rigid plastic in the first six months is an attainable target.
“If we are able to prove this s a commercially viable process and continue with the service after the trial, this concept has the potential to divert a tremendous amount of rigid plastic from landfill,” he added.
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