Recycling update

A mixed picture – but we can all help

by Dave Lamont

The UK Plastics Pact aims to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic; ensure that 100% of plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable; see 70% of plastic packaging effectively recycled or composted and achieve 30% average recycled content across all packaging.

Many local authorities continue to make progress, including Wokingham and Windsor and Maidenhead, but there are also areas where recycling rates have sadly stalled or declined.

In 2019/20, Wokingham had the second largest year-on-year increase in recycling rates in England, up from 40.5% to 50.3% according to Defra. The highly successful food waste scheme, launched in 2019, is credited as having a significant impact.

In the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, which has operated a food waste scheme for nearly a decade, there was a more marginal increase to 46.85%, up from 44.3%. England’s average is 45.5%. The UK Government has set a binding target to recycle 65% of household waste by 2035.

Despite reaching its twentieth year, TerraCycle has only attracted widespread attention in more recent years. Local collection schemes, like those facilitated by TRIP – Twyford Rethinks Its Plastic, allow consumers to dispose of items that are not

widely recycled while helping to raise funds for good causes in the community. Many schemes are at least part-funded by major brands. TerraCycle generates revenue by selling waste to specialist companies that recycle it and use it to manufacture new products.

All this undoubtedly helps to address the issue in the short to medium term. However, big brands must not be allowed to view it as a solution or use it as a get-out-of-jail-free card longer term.

A report by Surfers Against Sewage has found that 63% of litter collected consists of packaging issued by major food and beverage brands. The worst offenders include Coca-Cola, PepsiCo (which owns the likes of Walkers), Mondelez International (which owns Cadbury), McDonalds, Nestle, Suntory (behind many leading drinks brands) and Mars.

What about UK supermarkets, which are estimated to produce 800,000 tonnes of plastic annually?

A 2019 study by Which? of 89 brands found that 40% had no labelling to explain if their packaging was recyclable. Unsurprisingly, the worst offenders included many of those above. Disappointingly, Which?’s assessment of own label products also revealed that little over half were easily recyclable.

Yet many far smaller brands are getting things right, such as crisp company Two Farmers and Twyford-born snack company Made For Drink, both of which use industry leading home compostable packaging. It can be done: support companies who are making the effort if you can.

According to Which?: ‘Clear recycling labelling would make a big difference. 67% of members look for information on packaging before deciding how to dispose of it.’ The consumer group is calling for recycling information to be made compulsory on all grocery packaging.

Confusion over what can be recycled and how is a significant issue, as is uncertainty around what associated terms and symbols mean. Terms like ‘compostable’ and ‘biodegradable’ are often misused or misunderstood.

Some items will be home compostable and will break down in your garden compost bin, but others require industrial composting. Many items labelled as biodegradable will not easily break down in landfill (or sadly, our oceans) and some can release harmful emissions, toxins and pollutants. Almost everything is biodegradable – eventually – but at what cost to the environment?

The range of items that can be recycled at supermarkets is a relatively well-kept secret, with an almost tokenistic approach from some. It can include paper and card, mixed plastics, glass, cans, batteries, textiles, Tetrapak cartons, books and electrical items. Check online or in-store.

If you live within the Wokingham Borough, a summary of what you can recycle can be found at www.wokingham.gov.uk/rubbishand-recycling/recycling. Subsidised compost bins are also available and the free re3cyclopedia app is an excellent tool.

For Windsor and Maidenhead, see www.rbwm.gov.uk/ home/environmentand-waste/recycling-and-rubbish.

The www.recyclenow.com website is also a fantastic resource for all, including a helpful guide to the various packaging symbols.

Remember, ‘recyclable’ only means that an item MAY be recycled IF disposed of and processed correctly – there are no guarantees. Recycling is an imperfect solution, so let’s aim to reduce our levels of consumption and waste.

The best approach to take is ‘Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Repurpose and Recycle’.

Dave Lamont

Dave Lamont is founder of The Plastic Free Home. Follow @PlasticFreeHomeUK on Facebook for helpful advice on reducing waste and living a more sustainable lifestyle.