RECOUP support continues to grow with leading sorting technology provider Bühler UK Limited being the latest to join the ranks and hosting the first 2018 member meeting.
Over 70 cross sector members and partners attended the meeting, including Government, retailers, waste management, packaging producers, reprocessors, trade organisations and independent specialists.
The challenges and opportunities in 2018 and some of the key work by RECOUP, as the leading plastics value chain co-ordinators, were outlined by the RECOUP team. There were insightful updates and dialogue with DEFRA, British Plasics Federation, LARAC, and a presentation on large scale recycling of PET trays in Holland.
The meeting outlined the core priorities which the RECOUP team and membership will focus on:
- Disposal and recycling ‘On the Go’
- Deposit Return System planning
- Consumer engagement and behaviour change, including Pledge 4 Plastics
- Plastic pot, tub and tray recycling
- Black plastics packaging recycling
- Design for Recyclability, including a suite of new targeted publications
- Household Plastics Collections Survey
- Encouraging use of recycled plastics in manufacturing
- End markets and material quality
RECOUP highlighted they handle an increasing number of enquiries (over 1,500 from media, indivduals and businesses in 2017), engage in responses to consultations and future strategies and a range of practical deliveries and projects for its members.
The increasingly popular RECOUP conference takes place on 28th September 2018.
New RECOUP member, Bühler UK Limited, gave an opportunity for attendees to tour the factory where they make their optical sorting machines. This included a demonstration of one of the potential solutions for black plastics recycling, showing the separation of black flakes from coloured flakes.
Part of the day included a stakeholder session on black plastics packaging recycling to increase the urgency around both short- and long-term solutions.
RECOUP strive to continue to develop their membership base to dedicate more time on the increasingly urgent priorities. For more information please contact the RECOUP team on 01733 390021.
Quotes
RECOUP CEO, Stuart Foster stated “RECOUP continues to provide leadership in pushing forwards plastics recycling and resource efficiency activities. We are very effective at bringing together various stakeholders to explore and find solutions for both short and long term challenges to improving plastics recycling. The agenda for change in 2018 is unprecedented at both a practical and strategic level.”
Bühler UK Limited Managing Director, Matt Kelly said ”Bühler are excited to be working with RECOUP and its members from across the industry with a common interest in plastic recycling and sustainability. In the circular economy, maximising the reuse of raw materials is critical. Bühler have a long history of providing technology to the plastics industry and are well placed to deliver solutions to re-processors that increase the quality and value of recycled material. SORTEX optical sorters remove contaminants from used plastics and separate them by colour or polymer, producing high-quality material for reforming into new products, instead of using virgin plastic. Bühler are committed to driving sustainable solutions for all of our customers across all industries, helping to preserve the environment for future generations.”
