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Winter Contamination Hinders UK Recycling Efforts

New data reveals that recycling efforts in the UK are significantly affected by winter weather, with plastic contamination increasing by 40% from November to March. This results in an additional 5,000 tonnes of waste being sent to landfill or incinerated during the colder months.

Winter's Impact on Recycling

Plastic bottles, a major environmental concern, cause particular problems when mixed with wet cardboard. During the rainy winter months, the cardboard becomes soggy and wraps around the plastic, complicating the recycling process at plants. This seasonal contamination spike is highlighted by data from DH Smith, a key recycling company that processes around 20% of the UK's paper and card.

 

 

Government Policy on Recycling

The UK government is expected to soon announce whether it will continue allowing "co-mingled" recycling (where different materials are mixed in bins) or mandate that waste be separated at source (paper, plastic, glass, etc.).

Recycling Trends and Challenges

Official figures show that England's household recycling rate has stalled, dropping from 44.6% in 2022 to 44.1% in 2023. In contrast, the recycling rate has risen in the other UK nations. With overall UK waste generation at 191.2 million tonnes in 2020, efforts to improve recycling have been slow.

Policy Progress

The Environment Act, introduced in 2021, replaced EU regulations and included proposals such as a deposit return scheme for drinks bottles and extended producer responsibility (EPR), which would make companies pay for the disposal of their packaging. However, progress has been delayed, with the EPR scheme not expected to take effect until 2025.

Recycling Separation Debate

Experts like Chris Mills from Wrap advocate for separating waste at source to improve recycling efficiency. However, logistical challenges exist, particularly in communal buildings where multiple bins are needed. Andy Graham, from the District Councils Network, also supports waste separation but calls for a cohesive national approach and sustainable funding to improve recycling rates.

Corporate Responsibility

Retailers like Amazon have taken steps to reduce waste, claiming a 41% reduction in packaging weight since 2015, and have replaced single-use plastics with paper and cardboard in Europe. However, experts argue that further action is needed, particularly in tackling unnecessary packaging volume from e-commerce.