Top Home Recycling Tips for Plastic

Plastic waste is a big environmental problem around the world, and the UK is no different.

As both businesses and individuals look for ways to cut their carbon footprint and help create a more sustainable future, understanding plastic waste recycling has never been more important. Plus, recycling offers many benefits for your business.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about plastic waste, how recycling works, the UK’s regulations, and some practical tips for managing plastic waste effectively.

What is Plastic Waste?

Plastic waste includes anything made of plastic that gets thrown away, like containers, bags, straws, and single-use items like packaging.

These materials don’t break down naturally and can stay in the environment for hundreds of years, creating serious environmental problems.

Examples of Plastic Waste:

Here are some common examples of plastic waste:

• Plastic bottles: Like water bottles, soft drink bottles, and other beverage containers.
• Plastic shopping bags: Both reusable and single-use.
• Food packaging: Includes trays, containers, and plastic wrappers.
• Single-use plastic straws: Often used with drinks.
• Disposable cutlery: Includes plastic spoons, knives, and forks.
• Plastic cups: The throwaway kind often used for drinks at parties and events.
• Packaging peanuts: Small foam pieces used to cushion items during shipping. (Check out our full guide on recycling packaging peanuts!)
• Plastic wraps: Like cling film, used to cover and protect food.
• Plastic packaging: Found on products like toys, cosmetics, and electronics.
• Plastic utensils: Includes disposable bowls and plates.

What is Plastic Recycling?

Plastic recycling is the process of taking waste plastic and turning it into new products. This process helps reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste by cutting down the need for new, or “virgin,” plastic production.

Here’s how plastic recycling makes a difference:

• Conservation of Resources: Recycling plastic lowers the demand for new plastic made from fossil fuels. By using recycled materials, we save natural resources and reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources that harm the planet.
• Energy Savings: Making plastic from recycled materials usually takes less energy than creating new plastic. This leads to big energy savings and a smaller carbon footprint, making the whole process more energy-efficient.
• Reduction of Landfill Waste: Plastic waste is a major contributor to crowded landfills, where it can release harmful chemicals into the soil and water. Recycling plastic keeps it out of landfills, easing the strain on waste management systems and reducing environmental pollution.
• Prevention of Ocean Pollution: Plastic pollution in our oceans is a serious issue, with devastating effects on marine life and ecosystems. Recycling plastic helps prevent it from ending up in water bodies, reducing the risk of ocean pollution and protecting aquatic habitats.
• Creation of Green Jobs: The recycling industry creates jobs in areas like collection, sorting, processing, and manufacturing. Supporting recycling not only helps the environment but also boosts green economies and promotes job creation in sustainable industries.
• Promotion of a Circular Economy: Recycling plastic supports the idea of a circular economy, where resources are reused for as long as possible, maximizing their value and minimizing waste. By closing the loop on plastic production and use, we move toward a more sustainable economic model.
• Public Health Benefits: Plastic pollution doesn’t just harm the environment—it also poses risks to human health, especially through the ingestion of microplastics and exposure to toxic chemicals. By recycling plastic, we reduce these health risks and create safer living environments for everyone.

Plastic recycling is a key part of sustainable waste management, offering numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits.

How Does Plastic Recycling Work?

Generally, recycling plastic follows this easy 5-step procedure:

1. Collection:
   The first step in recycling plastic is collecting the waste. Plastic is gathered from homes, businesses, public spaces, and recycling centers. Collection methods can vary, including curbside pickup, drop-off points, and special collection bins. A well-organized collection system is crucial to ensure a steady supply of plastic for recycling.
2. Sorting:
   After collection, the plastic waste is sorted to separate different types of plastics. This step is vital because each type of plastic has its own properties and recycling process. Sorting is often done using a mix of automated machines and manual labor, where plastics are grouped by their resin identification codes (those recycling symbols you see on products). This way, plastics with similar characteristics are processed together.
3. Cleaning:
   Once sorted, the plastic is cleaned to remove any dirt, debris, labels, adhesives, or food residues. Sometimes, larger plastic items are shredded into smaller pieces to make the cleaning process more effective and prepare the plastic for the next stage.
4. Processing:
   After cleaning, the plastic is processed into reusable raw materials. The plastic is usually melted down and then shaped into pellets, flakes, or other forms, depending on what it will be used for. Advanced techniques like extrusion, injection molding, and granulation help prepare the plastic for making new products.
5. Manufacturing:
   The final step is turning the processed plastic into new products. Manufacturers across various industries—like packaging, construction, automotive, and consumer goods—use the recycled plastic pellets or flakes as raw materials. These materials can be made into a wide range of products, including bottles, containers, bags, furniture, and building materials. By using recycled plastic, businesses help conserve resources, save energy, and support environmental sustainability.

Plastic Waste Management for Businesses

Business owners play a key role in managing plastic waste and supporting efforts toward environmental conservation and sustainability. Here are some practical tips to help businesses handle plastic waste more effectively:

1. Start a Plastic Recycling Program:
   Set up a recycling program at your business to reduce plastic waste. Provide separate bins for different recyclable materials like plastics, paper, glass, and metals. Make sure these bins are clearly labeled, and educate your employees on what can and can’t be recycled. Regularly check and manage the recycling process to keep everything running smoothly and in line with recycling guidelines.
2. Cut Down on Single-Use Plastics:
   Reducing single-use plastics is one of the most impactful ways to manage plastic waste. Look at your business operations and find areas where single-use plastics can be swapped for eco-friendly alternatives. Consider using biodegradable or compostable materials for packaging, utensils, and other disposables. Encourage employees to bring reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and containers to work, which helps reduce the need for plastic packaging and throwaway items.
3. Educate Employees and Customers:
   Creating a culture of plastic waste reduction starts with effective communication and education. Train your employees on proper waste management practices, including recycling and waste sorting. Use posters, brochures, and digital resources to raise awareness about the environmental impact of plastic waste and the importance of recycling. Engage with customers through marketing campaigns, social media, and signs to promote sustainable practices and encourage them to support your efforts in reducing plastic waste.

Also Read: Properly Recycling Different Plastics

Plastic Waste Laws and Regulations in the UK

As concerns about plastic waste grow, the UK government has introduced several regulations to help businesses adopt more sustainable practices. These include the Plastic Packaging Tax, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, and the UK Plastic Packaging Regulations. Here’s a simple breakdown of what these regulations mean:

1. Plastic Packaging Tax:
   Starting in April 2022, the UK government introduced a tax on plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recycled content. This tax encourages businesses to use more recycled materials in their packaging. The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste and support the move towards a circular economy, where resources are reused and recycled as much as possible.
2. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme:
   The EPR scheme shifts the responsibility for managing packaging waste from taxpayers and local authorities to the producers themselves. This means that companies that produce packaging materials are now more accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, including collection, recycling, and disposal. The idea is to push businesses to design packaging that is easier to recycle and to invest in better recycling infrastructure.
3. UK Plastic Packaging Regulations:
   These regulations set specific recycling and recovery targets for plastic packaging. They ensure that businesses meet minimum standards for recycling and managing plastic waste. By following these guidelines, businesses can improve their plastic waste management practices and contribute to a more sustainable, circular economy.

Facts and Statistics about Plastic Waste

Here are some eye-opening facts about plastic waste:

• Only 9% of all plastic ever produced gets recycled.
• Every minute, 2 million plastic bags are used around the world.
• Plastic waste makes up 73% of all beach litter.
• Every minute, a truckload of plastic is dumped into the ocean.
• By 2050, there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
• Right now, 90% of all seabirds have ingested at least one piece of plastic, and by 2050, this number could rise to 99%.
• The average person consumes 70,000 pieces of microplastic each year.
• A plastic bag is typically used for only about 12 minutes before being discarded.