Major Expansion for Closed Loop HDPE Plastic Recycling Facility in London

Dagenham, London based plastics recycler, Closed Loop Recycling is to significantly expand its HDPE recycling capabilities in order to fully meet the demands of the dairy industry which increasingly requires higher levels of rHDPE in its milk bottles. According to the company it is implementing a major expansion that will double the supply of recycled HDPE to the UK market - more than meeting the expected demand from the dairy industry as it works towards higher recycled content targets. The company claimed that the investment in new infrastructure will make it the largest recycler of milk bottles in the world. The expansion will take place within the existing building, with new lines and machinery being installed. The installation is already underway and expected to be completed by early 2014. Once the upgrade is complete the company said that it will increase capacity to 55,000 tonnes per annum, creating the most advanced plastics purification facility in the UK and diverting a further 30,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in the process. Further to this exapnsion, as a result of a joint agreement with the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC), the company has also leased three acres of additional land adjacent to its existing facility for futher expansion in the future. "Recycled milk bottles are a massive win for the circular economy,” explains Chris Dow, CEO of Closed Loop Recycling. According to Dow the increased demand for recycled content is an example of the whole industry working together - retailers, producers, brands and industry bodies - to implement an ambitious plan. This he said, has created a sustainable business model with enormous potential for the future,” he added. “There has been a huge commitment from the companies in this sector, including our customers, who have invested in technology and plants to complete the HDPE recycling loop. I am confident that our expansion will bring the 2020 target of 50% recycled material in plastic bottles closer,” concluded Dow. The company is also implementing an awareness campaign with local authorities to increase collection rates of milk bottles. Closed Loop said that his will support the on-going goals of the Dairy Roadmap, whereby dairy processors, farmers and retailers are working together with government to develop a raft of environmental improvements within the dairy industry. Dr Liz Goodwin, chief executive of WRAP commented: “Closed Loop Recycling’s expansion in order to meet forecast demand for recycled content in milk bottle packaging is the perfect example of how businesses can work together to achieve the economic and environmental benefits of a circular economy.” Read More Recycling Industry PRN/PREN Proposals Explained Chris Dow, CEO of Closed Loop Recycling explains how industry proposals for the PRN/PERN system could boost UK recycling while encouraging the use recycled content in packaging - at no cost to the government… Green Light for 160,000 TPA Food Waste to Biogas AD Plant in London A 160,000 tonne per year anaerobic digestion facility that will process food waste into biogas for energy generation has been awarded planning permission in Dagenham, London. Quality of Recycled Polymers Biggest Concern for UK Plastic A recent survey by the British Plastics Federation has found that just 38% of plastic processors in the UK use recycled content, led by the packaging, moulding and windows sectors.