Study boosts support for increased plastic recycling
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 - 10:11:50
The issue of plastic waste has continued to gain momentum in the UK this year, with the latest study from the Green Alliance revealing that demand for this material could largely be met through recycling.
The Guardian reports that just under a tenth of the plastic which is used each year in Britain can be recycled domestically, meaning the vast majority is shipped overseas to be processed. However, campaigners argue that by keeping the material within our borders, 71 per cent of the nation’s plastic needs could be met each year.
The study published this month suggests a number of measures need to be put in place to ensure that the UK makes optimal use of its plastic waste resources. This includes setting a minimum limit on the percentage of new packaging which must be made up of recycled materials.
Another step that the government is being urged to take is that of the provision of investment for businesses that are looking into increasing domestic plastic recycling volumes.
Industry insiders believe that while public money can help to ease this issue, the manufacturers themselves must take more responsibility for the amount of packaging they use and where they source their plastic from in the first place.
If close to three quarters of the UK’s plastic needs could be met through recycling waste at facilities based within the country itself, then the economy would become far more circular and other parts of the world would not be reaping the benefits of British household waste habits.
A similar ethos is applicable to the mobile phone recycling market, although Britain is much better at processing used handsets than many might imagine, which is why selling old phones is such a good idea for consumers who are environmentally conscious.
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