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UK Plastics Market 'dependent' on exports
Almost 90% of exports destined for China
23 August 2010
A recent report on the UK plastics sector has suggested that the sector's dependence on a few overseas markets has left it susceptible to changes in demand. The Plastics Market Situation Report 2010, published by WRAP, focused on all areas of the plastics recycling sector, including collection and recycling amouints, as well as areas for improvement, which included mixed plastics collection and food-grade contact plastics.
According to the research, exports of recovered plastics increased from 548,000 tonnes in 2007 to 711,000 tonnes in 2009. Of this amount, almost 90% was intended for China. The report goes on to note that the sector has now turned to developing appropriate infrastructure to deal with the recycling of mixed packaging plastics, as currently less than 5% are recycled. Approximately 20% of local authorities currently run kerbside mixed plastic collections, and the UK's first mixed plastic reprocessing facility will begin operation in 2011.
A recent report on the UK plastics sector has suggested that the sector's dependence on a few overseas markets has left it susceptible to changes in demand. The Plastics Market Situation Report 2010, published by WRAP, focused on all areas of the plastics recycling sector, including collection and recycling amouints, as well as areas for improvement, which included mixed plastics collection and food-grade contact plastics.
According to the research, exports of recovered plastics increased from 548,000 tonnes in 2007 to 711,000 tonnes in 2009. Of this amount, almost 90% was intended for China. The report goes on to note that the sector has now turned to developing appropriate infrastructure to deal with the recycling of mixed packaging plastics, as currently less than 5% are recycled. Approximately 20% of local authorities currently run kerbside mixed plastic collections, and the UK's first mixed plastic reprocessing facility will begin operation in 2011.
