‘Repeat the Cycle’ aims to reduce the “widespread confusion” over what to do with items such as bags for frozen peas, bread bags, and the wrapping around packets of toilet rolls, which WRAP’s Recycle Now says often contaminate kerbside collections.
The awareness-raising campaign is fronted by BBC presenter JJ Chalmers and runs until 11 April.
More than 4,000 UK supermarkets across the UK have now introduced recycling collection points for bags and wrapping, Recycle Now says.
Each has linked with Recycle Now to help people find their nearest recycling point on its Recycling Locator, which can be seen here.
Sarah Clayton, head of Recycle Now and Clear on Plastics, said: “If you look inside people’s bins today there remains one stubborn plastic that most of us can’t recycle at home – items like bread bags, chocolate wrappers, crisp packets, and toilet roll wrapping.
“So, we’ve set out to raise awareness and nudge people towards new behaviours by helping them find their nearest recycling point from more than 4,000 supermarket options open to them on the Recycling Locator.”
The campaign is to launch against the backdrop of Defra mandating local authority kerbside film collections by April 2027 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Plastic bags and wrappings
Sustainability not-for-profit organisation WRAP is behind both consumer-facing brand Recycle Now and Clear on Plastics, an initiative designed to give people information about plastics and the environment.
Recycle Now says more than 84% of local authorities collects plastic bottles, tubs, pots, and trays at the kerbside, but less than 20% collect plastic bags and wrappings.
Around 290,000 tonnes of plastic wrapping goes into UK bins each year, Recycle Now says, while research shows that almost a quarter (23%) of citizens incorrectly put plastic bags and wrapping in their household recycling
WRAP has undertaken trials to increase kerbside collections of plastic bags and wrappings and published industry guidance on how to manage front-of-store collections (see letsrecycle.com story).
Mr Chalmers said: “I think it’s fantastic that we can now gather up our plastic bags, wrapping, and films, and bring them back to the store each time we shop.
“It’s a simple habit that will make a huge difference to our impact on the natural environment.”
Support
A host of brands, retailers, and businesses signed up to The UK Plastics Pact are supporting Repeat the Cycle.
Soft plastic collections combined with promotional initiatives like Repeat the Cycle are essential
- James Bull, Tesco’s head of packaging
Participating supermarkets include Tesco, Co-op, and Sainsburys, while other major retailers are “on the cusp” of rolling out services or currently trialling options, Recycle Now says.
The campaign is also supported by local authorities and UK governments.
James Bull, Tesco’s head of packaging, said: “We believe no plastic packaging should end up as waste, but soft plastic packaging plays an important role in prolonging the shelf-life of some products and preventing food waste.
“So, while we’re continually working to reduce our use of soft plastic, we can’t get rid of it altogether just yet.
“Soft plastic collections combined with promotional initiatives like Repeat the Cycle are essential to help prevent these materials from going to landfill.”
Film
One challenge facing retailers is expected to be coping with the volumes of film that could be brought to stores, as some struggle to empty front-of-store bins.
The collection of customer films could also impact the recycling of supermarket films.
Recycling experts told letsrecycle.com that the quality of the 80:20 grade, which can include supermarket film, has fallen with the collection of front-of-store material.
Related link
Repeat the Cycle
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