The U.K.-based plastics recycling association Recoup has released the results of its 2015 U.K. household collections survey, and reports that the amount of plastic packaging collected increased 6 percent, to a level of more than 492,000 metric tons.
The survey also indicated that around 60 percent of the total plastic packaging recycled came from households.
The annual survey is funded by Recoup members and is available from the association’s website at www.recoup.org.
The association says that the collection rate for plastic pots, tubs and trays has increased to 30 percent of the total collections of rigid plastic packaging from U.K. households. Meanwhile, the collection rate of plastic bottles increased by 3.5 percent from the previous survey to a level of 57 percent.
“With the overall recycling rate for rigid plastic packaging at 44 percent, there is too much material that is not collected for recycling,” comments Steve Morgan of Recoup. “This lost material highlights again the importance of communicating regularly and effectively with consumers, particularly that plastics can be recycled from all rooms around the home.”
Recoup says the lost material is estimated to represent as much as £78 million in disposal costs for the uncollected plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays.
Some 250 U.K. authorities took part in the survey, according to Recoup.
Another survey finding was that close to half of U.K. residents don’t believe U.K. recycling collection services are aligned. Around 40 percent however, believe that communications to consumers are aligned.
In a press release announcing the findings, Recoup also highlighted the need to promote existing collection services and engage consumers through the Pledge 4 Plastics collaboration with Recycle Now.
The association also reports there will be one set of resources in a new “Plastics Recycling Resources Pack” that will be hosted on both the Pledge 4 Plastics and Recycle Now websites.
“The new pack will provide aligned communications activity and a consistent set of messages around plastics collections, providing all the resources needed for Local Authorities and businesses to run a plastics recycling consumer communications campaign,” says Morgan.
Recoup says that financial support is needed to run effective campaigns and provide central funding to progress the work of Pledge 4 Plastics.