2.2m tonnes of Plastic Packaging Generated Across UK : WRAP Report: UK Plastic Waste Arisings 3.7m tonnes in 2014

Annual plastic waste arisings in the UK were estimated to be 3.7 million tonnes in 2014, including some 2.2 million tonnes of packaging, according a report published today by the Waste & Resources Action Programme.

The Plastics Market Situation Report, found that of the total amount of plastic packaging arising around 1.5 million tonnes was estimated to be rigid plastic packaging and the remaining 700,000 tonnes was estimated to be films.

In terms of consumer plastic packaging 594,000 tonnes was said to be bottles, 525,000 tonnes other rigids such as pots, tubs and trays (PTTs) and 414,000 tonnes films.

According to the report, for non-consumer plastics there ware an estimated 231,000 tonnes of bottles while PTTs account for 108,000 tonnes and film is estimated at 348,000 tonnes.

The report includes detailed analysis of recovered plastic flows, prices and the sustainability of end markets, including the risks and opportunities.

The authors reviewed trends past and present, and updates on data reported by the organisation since the previous Plastic Market Situation Report was published in 2011.

Three key themes covered in the report include:

Progress: Significant improvements were said to have been made by local authorities, the recycling industry and the wider supply chain towards achieving a circular economy for plastics. This includes a sharp increase in recycling of plastic packaging (up more than 50% since 2009), the introduction of mixed plastic collections by the majority of local authorities (up to an estimated 67% in 2014/15) and light-weighting by brands and retailers.

End Markets: The report provided a detailed assessment of the different plastics end markets in the UK and aboard, by polymer and by end user. Despite concern from brands, manufacturers, local authorities and reprocessors, the report found there is a wide range of end market sectors and applications potentially available for UK collected plastics.

Plastic recyclers – plastic recyclers were said to be particularly vulnerable to changes in market conditions due to their position in the middle of the supply chain; often feeling the squeeze from both sides, as well as higher costs and lower output prices. The report noted that the decline in the price of oil has often been raised as a contributing factor behind difficulties in the UK plastics recycling sector. However, WRAP said that this is not the whole story, with plastic prices often showing a weak relationship to oil.

“Much has been achieved since we published the second Plastics Market Situation Report 2011, but there is still more to be done with challenging targets looming and testing market conditions.

“This report provides much needed clarity to some of the challenges the sector has faced recently as well as confidence on where to invest next. Plastic recyclers don’t have to wait for oil prices to rise again. There are markets out there that will work that aren’t linked to oil prices. It’s about keeping costs low, not overreaching and identifying an end product to sell the reprocessed materials into.”

Barry Turner, Director of Plastics and Flexible Packaging Group at the BPF, added:

“Collecting information down to the granular and detailed level as presented in this report is always challenging but the estimates and actual data given never the less present an excellent summary of the market and progress made in extending plastic collection and recycling in the UK together with some of the future challenges and opportunities that exist. This will prove to be an important and enduring reference document.”

The Plastics Market Situation Report joins a series of reports produced by WRAP that examine current economic conditions and trends in the markets for recovered materials.

The full report can be downloaded HERE

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