Findings from the review show that 11.5 million households can now participate in kerbside recycling collections that include plastic bottles – about 47% of homes.
” Using the data provided, it is estimated that the provision of plastic bottle recycling within kerbside collections will exceed 13.5 million households during 2007. “
– Andrew Simmons, Recoup
According to the research, which was funded by the Waste and Resources Action Programme, 86% of councils now offer local facilities or collections of plastic bottles – up from 73% in the 2005.
The survey, which includes data submitted by all 471 UK local authorities, also revealed an increasing amount of plastic bottles coming from households and a third of local authorities stating that recycling plastic is no more expensive than sending the material to landfill.
Andrew Simmons, chief executive officer at Recoup, said: “The increase shown by the survey is great news and using the data provided, it is estimated that the provision of plastic bottle recycling within kerbside collections will exceed 13.5 million households during 2007 – or 55% of all UK households.”
The 2006 figures showed that bottle collections are now double the 2004 figures, with 85,000 tonnes being collected.
Increase
Of the 471 councils, 403 confirmed plastic bottle collection facilities within their council area, while council collections have increased by 16% since the end of 2005 – an additional 55 collection services.
Councils were also asked about the cost of collections, with a third indicating that there were little or no extra costs connected with collecting plastic for recycling rather than landfill or another disposal route.
| Related links: |
Paul Davidson, WRAP’s material sector manager for plastics, said: “The accelerated rise in plastic bottle recycling is extremely encouraging, particularly since plastic is not a priority waste stream in the context of the weight-based targets faced by local authorities.
“Improved understanding of the benefits of plastic collections and increased confidence in the end markets, coupled with strong public demand, are key factors here,” he added.
Subscribe for free