Recycling

Price for landfill is predicted to increase by 30% over the next 6 momths so genuine savings could be had by recycling cost effective materials. The UK Government also aims to increase the plastic recycling rate, reducing volume of materials reaching landfill.

 

 

Paper & Board

Paper & Board is widely recycled with most commercial waste management companies already offering recycling services. Over 72% of paper consumption in Europe is recycled making it one of the most recycled materials.

 
P - Paper and Cardboard - Widely Recycled
Paper and Cardboard is the most widely recycled materials, commonly recycled by local authorities and commercial waste contractors. Production of recycled pulp requires less energy consumption and reduced emissions to air. Using recycling and using recycled materials greatly recudes the requirement for raw virgin materials further reducing the impact on the environment.

 

 

Plastics

The recycling process varies for different types of plastic depending on their chemical makeup. To differentiate them, a classification system with grades was devised by the Plastics Industry which is displayed as a number within the recycle logo.

There are 7 grades of plastic ranging from Grade 1 (Polyethylene Terephthalate) which includes drinking bottles, oven film & packaging through Grade 7 (Miscellaneous) which includes items such as baby bottles, compact discs, storage containers and number plates.

Each grade can be recycled and reprocessed through recycling channels reducing the impact on the environment.

 

 
No.1 PET (Polyethylene Terephythalate) - Widely Recycled
PET is one of the most commonly used plastics in consumer products, and is found in most water and pop bottles and in some packaging. Intended for single use applications, repeated use increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth. PET is difficult to decontaminate, and proper cleaning requires harmful chemicals. Polyethylene terephthalates may leach carcinogens.
 
No. 3 PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) - Specialist Recycled
PVC is a soft, flexible plastic used to make clear plastic food wrapping, cooking oil bottles, children’s and pets toys and a myriad of consumer products.

PVC is dubbed “poison plastic” because it contains numerous toxins which it can leach throughout it’s entire life cycle. Almost all products using PVC require virgin material for their construction, less than 1% of PVC material
 
No. 5 PP ( Polypropylene ) - Widely Recycled
Polypropylene is a tough, lightweight and has excellent heat-resistance qualities. PP is commonly used for products such as plastic bottle tops, buckets, butter and yoghurt containers, straws and packing tape.

Polypropylene is commonly recycled through most curb-side recycling programs and is becoming increasingly recycled by waste management companies.

PP is considered safe for reuse.
 
No. 6 PS ( Polystyrene ) - Specialist Recycled
Inexpensive, lightweight and easily formed with a wide variety of uses. Most commonly used for disposable drinking cups, take-away food containers, plastic cutlery and “peanut” packaging materials for shipping.

Due to the weak and ultra-lightweight nature of Polystyrene it beaks up easily and gets dispersed throughout the natural environment. Due to this, beaches all the world have bits of polystyrene lapping at the shores with untold damage already done to our marine wildlife due to ingested plastics.

Grade 6 plastics can be recycled through good waste management companies.
 
No. 7 – other (BPA,  Polycarbonate and Lexan) - Specialist Recycled
Category 7 was designed as a catch-all for BPA, Polycarbonate and other plastics to offer a suitable recycling method.

Products commonly recycled in this category are; large water containers, bullet-proof materials, sunglasses, DVD’s, iPod and computer cases, signs and displays, food containers and nylon.

Category 7 plastics are commonly recycled into plastic lumber, building materials and custom-made products.