RECOUP reveals decrease in household plastic packaging collection for the first time

UK – RECOUP has unveiled its recent findings from the annual UK Household Plastic Packaging Collection Survey, signaling a noticeable downturn in both the utilization and collection quantities of plastic packaging within the country.

For the first time, there’s been a year-on-year reduction, indicating alterations in both the quantities introduced to the market and those collected.

The survey estimates a decrease of about 70,000 tonnes (t) in the volume of household plastic packaging entering the UK market. Simultaneously, the quantities gathered by local authorities at the kerbside have seen a decline, amounting to nearly 30,000t, which represents a 5% reduction.

Although the provision for kerbside collection has reached a plateau, encompassing all UK local authorities collecting plastic bottles for recycling since 2019, there are gaps in the collection of plastic pots, tubs, trays, and films.

Only 88% of authorities participate in collecting these items, remaining unchanged from 2021. Plastic films and flexibles’ collection has dropped from 13% to 12%, marking the sixth consecutive year of decline.

The overall collection rate stands at 42% for all household plastic packaging, encompassing 63% for plastic bottles, 39% for plastic pots, tubs, and trays, and 7% for plastic films and flexibles. The UK’s recycling rate for plastic packaging from household and commercial sources stands at 52%.

Local authorities are grappling with challenges linked to collection contracts and infrastructure, especially concerning impending changes from Simpler Recycling and Extended Producer Responsibility and Deposit Return Schemes.

Although the timelines for these schemes have been communicated, payments from the new packaging Extended Producer Responsibility schemes are pending, adding further complexities.

The survey emphasizes the need for proactive measures beyond policy changes to avert a decline or stagnation in household plastic collections.

Moreover, there’s a pressing need for enhanced focus on plastic packaging communication to drive citizen recycling behavior changes.

RECOUP’s UK Citizen Plastics Recycling Behaviors Insights Survey 2023 reports a concerning 7% annual decline in citizens claiming to recycle plastic drinks bottles consistently, now standing at 88%.

Collaborations like Pledge2Recycle Plastics, partnered with Durham County Council, have witnessed a 2% increase, reaching 97%.

Anne Hitch, Business and Project Development lead at RECOUP, highlights the crucial role of investment in plastics recycling communications to enhance kerbside tonnages and improve plastic quality.

She also underscores the inconsistencies in communication campaigns by local authorities, which offer conflicting guidance on lid placement and packaging preparation requirements, impacting citizen recycling behaviors.

Tom McBeth, Policy & Infrastructure manager at RECOUP, emphasizes the reduction in packaging entering the market and stresses the necessity for local authorities to grasp the available funding to enhance plastic packaging collection from consumers.

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