New research from Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP)
has found that recycling not just plastic bottles but
other plastic packaging as well can be cost-effective
and environmentally friendly. WRAP has launched its first
business plan for Scotland and proposes to review the
outcomes of its mixed plastics research against Scotland’s
circumstances.

WRAP did the research to see if it made financial sense
to recycle this waste and if recycling it would be better
for the environment than other options – such as burning
it or sending it to landfill. In particular, WRAP wanted
to see if these ordinary household items could be recycled
to make new ones, rather than having to use virgin plastics
every time.

WRAP’s research included trials of sorting different
types of plastics, an analysis of the type of technology
needed, estimated costs and modeling of the financial
rate of return. It also compared the environmental impacts
of various methods, including burning or sending it to
landfills. Research showed that recycling can be cheaper
than both these options.

Overall, landfill is the least favorable option for disposing
of plastics waste. However, in terms of global warming
potential, the research found that incineration of plastic
packaging was the worst option. This is because more
CO2 is emitted by burning plastics than by burning gas
or coal to generate the same amount of electricity.

The research showed that, on balance, the best environmental
option is to invest in technology to produce high quality
recycled plastics, but there will still be a need for
solid recovered fuel (SRF) in some cases. Consequently,
it makes sense to build integrated plants capable of
both options, as this improves the economic benefit and
maximizes the environmental impact.