A small number of operators exporting plastic are tarnishing the reputation of the UK industry, two recycling firms have warned.
Last month, a BBC investigation reported that some plastic waste from Britain sent to Turkey for recycling was instead being dumped and burned on the side of roads.
The allegations came as Latvian authorities said they were to repatriate waste back to the UK (see letsrecycle.com story) and after a warning from the Environment Agency over the export of “waste” with a reminder of the need for high quality material with minimal contamination, (see letsrecycle.com story).
British plastic recycling dumped and burned on Turkish roadside, BBC investigation finds https://t.co/hlomsoWQF2 pic.twitter.com/EygJNAnX1J
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) June 25, 2020
Veolia
Local media in East London noted that on end destination information for some local authorities, Veolia was recorded as an exporter of plastic bottles to Turkey.
In a statement to the local press and letsrecycle.com, the company explained that it uses UK outlets where they are available, such as the company’s HDPE milk bottle reprocessing plant in East London.
However, where overseas processing is required Veolia exports finished grades such as sorted PET bottles & trays, and follows a “stringent duty of care audit to ensure it goes to genuine outlets that recycle it into new products”.
“There remains a small number of unscrupulous or illegal operators exporting mixed plastics that may not have been properly sorted”
A spokesperson from the company said: “Unfortunately there remains a small number of unscrupulous or illegal operators exporting mixed plastics that may not have been properly sorted and therefore not all be recyclable. This gives a bad impression of the UK industry, which is trying its hardest to recycle more.
“Recycling has a vital role to play in the green economy that is needed to protect the future of our planet. Veolia is supporting the Government as it moves to tackle these issues through the new Resources and Waste Strategy.”
Clearpoint
William Lee, managing director at Clearpoint
William Lee, managing director of recyclable materials distribution specialist, Clearpoint Recycling, also explained that the actions of a few are hitting the entire industry, saying that “one bad apple quickly spoils the bunch”.
Mr Lee said that export is now becoming “taboo”, but stated that if the correct compliance, analysis, tracking and auditing measures are in place for the materials, “why is there any need to fear distributing them to overseas facilities?”
“Seeing these shocking scenes in the media is undoubtedly upsetting, but we shouldn’t forget there are organisations that execute a great amount of care, compliance and due diligence when sourcing and supplying the highest quality recyclable materials,” he commented.
He added: “To single out only the activity of a very small minority of unscrupulous organisations is an unfair misrepresentation of an innovative, dedicated and highly regulated industry.”
The issue of illegal exports isn’t new in the industry, and a similar warning was issued last year by Simon Ellin, the chief executive of the Recycling Association, who urged people not to dismiss exports “based on the actions of a few bad apples”.
This export of plastics was also on the national agenda and mentioned as one of Boris Johnson’s manifesto pledges in the build up to the 2019 election.
Turkish view
Turkish sources told letsrecycle.com that Turkey needed feedstock for its expanding plastics industry. However, the problem is partly caused by the subsidies available to encourage recycling in the UK, Ireland other European states. Some businesses in Turkey will import the material because they need, for example, PET bottles yet this can come with plastics and other materials which are not wanted and may be discarded directly or passed to smaller businesses for sorting with residues discarded.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Plastic
