11th Oct 2019 16:25
(Alliance News) - Biffa PLC said Friday there should be a ban on the export of waste plastics.
The waste management company believes the ban should be part of a drive for all plastics to be recycled within the UK.
"The move would retain the material as a resource, generate UK investment and jobs and avoid unintended environmental problems in other countries," Biffa added.
Biffa believes the "demonisation" of plastic is "resulting in unintended consequences for UK recycling, which could make UK's plastic problem "worse".
In a report published by Biffa, the waste management company said all plastic should be recycled in the UK.
"The report highlights the need for clearer differentiation between 'good plastics' which are easily recyclable versus 'bad plastics' such as unnecessary single-use plastic and difficult to recycle plastics," Biffa added.
The company believes "simpler and clearer" labelling should be used to help make recycling more consistent across the UK.
Biffa continued: "Short-term publicity exercises culminating in the rise of alternative materials including 'compostable' plastics, 'bio-plastics' and plastic pouches are giving consumers false confidence that they are choosing recyclable items, when these materials are generally more environmentally harmful and are contaminating high-quality recycling."
Chief Executive Michael Topham added: "Everyone is rightly concerned about our dependence on plastics and on how we deal with our plastic waste. The time has come for decisive action to ensure we only use plastics in a sustainable manner, and to restore confidence in our waste and recycling systems. Biffa is today calling for a total ban on the export of unprocessed plastic waste.
"This will not only ensure our plastic waste is dealt with properly here in the UK but will also support investment and jobs, and provide vital raw materials for the UK circular economy. At the same time, we must phase out plastics that cannot be recycled, and deliver labelling and collection systems that are easy to understand and work for households and businesses."
In late September, Biffa was fined GBP350,000 for trying to ship household rubbish to China labelled as waste paper fit for recycling.
Items found in the bales included sanitary towels, nappies, wet wipes and condoms – with the shipping containers reeking of vomit. Biffa Waste Services – the second largest recycling company in the UK – claimed that the bales contained 98.5% waste paper, which can be legally transported to China.
Shares in Biffa were 1.0% higher in London on Friday afternoon at 244.00 pence each.
By Paul McGowan; [email protected]
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