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Ten years to see standardised recycling

The recent Recoup conference raised some interesting discussion on the recycling of mixed plastics, and also gave rise to the following prediction from Lee Marshall: “It may taken 10 years but we will see standardisation of collection across the UK.”

Stuart Foster, senior project manager for Recoup, added that he expects wheeled bins to be brought in for standardised collection of recycled waste from residential houses, within the next few years.

Although urban and rural towns will need different approaches to the issue, there will be certain processes that can apply to both, and the development of methods of recycling mixed plastics will sure improve the effiency of the whole thing. The conference made it clear that the end-market for such plastics is one of the most important aspects, given that many small authorities collect mixed plastics but do not know where they are going. Mr Marshall encouraged more transparency with recycling collection, as some mixed plastics are still going directly to landfills, rather than going to recycling facilities.