BBC presenter JJ Chalmers is fringing a new plastics recycling campaign designed to tackle one of the ‘last plastics’ in our bins alongside 4,000 UK supermarkets.
The campaign is addressing a common problem experienced across the UK – the thousands of tonnes of plastic bags and wrapping which not currently collected for recycling at kerbside and are lost to landfill.
Although more than 84% of local authorities collecting plastic bottles, tubs, pots and trays at kerbside for many UK residents, fewer than 20% collect plastic bags and wrappings – accounting for around 290,000 tonnes of plastic wrapping going in UK bins each year.
More than 4,000 UK supermarkets across the UK have now introduced recycling collection points within store for these bags and wrapping.
JJ Chalmers said: “It’s a passion of mine to keep stuff like plastics in use and out of the environment – that’s why I do a lot of work on upcycling. So, I think it’s fantastic that we can now gather up our plastic bags, wrapping, and films, and bring them back to the store each time we shop. It’s a simple habit that will make a huge difference to our impact on the natural environment.”
The awareness-raising campaign, which runs until 11th April, will help reduce widespread confusion over what to do with these plastic items that very often contaminate collections.
Sarah Clayton, Head of Recycle Now and Clear on Plastics,said: “Recycling is a growing success story in the UK, with most people now routinely recycling. But, if you look inside people’s bins today there remains one stubborn plastic that most of us can’t recycle at home –items like bread bags, chocolate wrappers, crisp packets and toilet roll wrapping.
“That’s why we’ve set out to raise awareness and nudge people towards new behaviours by helping them find their nearest recycling point from more than 4,000 supermarket options open to them on the Recycling Locator. It’s simply a case of bagging up your used items and taking them to your local participating supermarket when you next go shopping – and Repeat the Cycle!”
Participating supermarkets include Tesco, Co-op and Sainsburys with other major retailers on the cusp of rolling out services, or currently trialling options. The campaign is also supported by local authorities and UK governments.
James Bull, Tesco’s Head of Packaging, said: “We believe no plastic packaging should end up as waste but soft plastic packaging plays an important role in prolonging the shelf-life of some products and preventing food waste. So, while we’re continually working to reduce our use of soft plastic, we can’t get rid of it altogether just yet. Soft plastic collections combined with promotional initiatives like ‘Repeat the Cycle’ are essential to help prevent these materials from going to landfill.”
