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UK: LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of Management Options for Mixed Waste Plastics Posted: 09 Jun 2008 09:47 AM CDT WRAP - the Waste and Resources Action Programme - has released a life cycle assessment of a range of collection and recycling methods and compared them to traditional disposal methods such as incineration and landfill. he UK produces around 1.4 million tonnes of mixed plastic packaging waste every year - including yoghurt pots, salad bags and ready meal trays. However, there is currently a 'Catch 22' situation, with few local authorities prepared to collect plastic waste other than bottles, as there is limited potential for them to be recycled. This in turn means there is a lack of such plastics available for companies to attempt to do so. Overall, landfill waste was deemed the least favourable option for disposing of plastic waste, with incineration the worst option in terms of global warming potential because more carbon dioxide was emitted by burning plastics that by burning gas or coal. The research showed that, on balance, the best environmental option was to invest in technology to produce high quality recycled plastics, but that there will still be a need for solid recovered fuel (SRF) in some cases. Consequently, it suggested reprocessors build integrated plants capable of both options as this improves the economic benefit and minimises the environmental impact. Unveiling the research at a conference of industry professionals today (5 June), WRAP chief executive Liz Goodwin said: "This is the first time that we have been able to prove that recycling mixed plastics is not only possible, but cost-effective and makes good environmental sense. "The amount of plastic packaging we see in our bins is frustrating, as there is currently nothing most of us can do about it. However, this new research is a first step towards getting that plastic out of the household bin and back in use. This will reduce the need for us to use large amounts of energy producing new plastics and the oil required in their content," she added. [b]Bottles[/b] This week, WRAP also published its annual Local Authorities Plastics Collection Survey 2008- which showed a 68% increase in plastic bottle recycling rates. The survey was undertaken by Valpak Consulting in partnership with Recoup and is based on feedback from 380 local authorities - 80% of the total in the UK. The study reveals that the total quantity of plastic bottles collected in the UK in 2007 was 181,887 tonnes, compared to 108,453 tonnes in 2006, with 92% of councils now offering plastic collections of some sort. Approximately 35% of plastic bottles consumed by householders were collected, indicating that collection rates would rise to 50%, 71% and 94% in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively. However, WRAP stated that it was likely the trend would plateau at around the projected 2009 rate of 71% as growth in the number of collection schemes slows. [b]Bring[/b] In 2007, the study found that approximately 34,482 tonnes of bottles (19%) were collected through local authority bring schemes. Almost half of councils were unable to indicate current levels of expenditure on their bring collection systems, after income from materials. However, of the other half that did know their costs, the largest proportion (16%) spent less than £2,500 per year - working out to an indicative average cost of £31 per tonne, after income from materials is deducted. Interestingly, there was no obvious correlation between expenditure and average quantity of plastic bottles collected by a local authority bring scheme. [b]Kerbside[/b] In 2007, approximately 147,405 tonnes (81%) of plastic bottles were recovered through kerbside collections, an increase of 77% (64,298 tonnes) on 2006. The most frequent reason selected for not having a kerbside collection scheme of plastic bottles was 'lack of spare compartments in kerbside collection vehicles'. Cost was the second most common reason although 'currently focussing on heavier materials to hit recycling targets' also received a high number of ratings. Over 40% of councils declared that their plastic bottle recycling schemes were a significant additional cost to their activities, but that they were a worthwhile ongoing element of their recyclables collections. Almost as many thought it cost little or no extra to collect plastic bottles for recycling than it did for landfill/other disposal methods. More than three-quarters of material collected (77%) was found to be recyclable PET or HDPE plastic bottles, with an average split found to be 48% HDPE and 52% PET. [b]Related Links[/b] [url=http://www.wrap.org.uk/applications/publications/publication_details.rm?id=698&publication=5448&programme=wrap] Mixed plastics LCA report[/url] | [url=http://www.wrap.org.uk/applications/publications/publication_details.rm?id=698&publication=5438&programme=wrap]Plastics collection survey [/url]

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