Document added 31 Jan. by Izabela Stacewicz, 2degrees
A guide for local authorities to either roll out a plastic bottles collection at the kerbside, or improve the material quality and capture rates of their current kerbside plastic bottles collection service.
Source: WRAP
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Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Guide
page 1
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
Kerbside collection of
plastic bottles Guide
A guide for local authorities to either roll out a plastic
bottles collection at the kerbside, or improve the material
quality and capture rates of their current kerbside plastic
bottles collection service.
Project code: PAC00null001
nullsearch date: nullly null11nullctober null11
nullsued: nullnuary null1null
nullAPnulls vision is a nullorld nullthout nullste,
nullere resources are used sustainably.
nulle nullork nullth businesses, individuals
and communities to help them reap the
benenulls of reducing nullste, developing
sustainable products and using
resources in an efnullient nully.
nullitten by: nulle Papineschi, Andy nullant, Alison nulllmes and nullomas nullergunst from nullnomia
Front conuller photography: nulltail of blue and green plastic bottles
nullAP and nullnomia nullsearch nullConsulting believe the content of this report to be correct
as at the date of nulliting. nullnullever, factors such as prices, levels of recycled content and
regulatory requirements are subject to change and users of the report should check nullth their
suppliers to connullm the current situation. null addition, care should be taken in using any of the
cost information provided as it is based upon numerous projectnullpecinull assumptions nulluch as
scale, location, tender contenull, etc.null
nulle report does not claim to be enullaustive, nor does it claim to cover all relevant products
and specinullations available on the market. nullile steps have been taken to ensure accuracy,
nullAP cannot accept responsibility or be held liable to any person for any loss or damage
arising out of or in connection nullth this information being inaccurate, incomplete or
misleading. null is the responsibility of the potential user of a material or product to consult
nullth the supplier or manufacturer and ascertain nullether a particular product nullll satisfy
their specinull requirements. nulle listing or featuring of a particular product or company does
not constitute an endorsement by nullAP and nullAP cannot guarantee the performance of
individual products or materials. nullis material is copyrighted. null may be reproduced free
of charge subject to the material being accurate and not used in a misleading contenull.
nulle source of the material must be identinulld and the copyright status acknonulledged.
nullis material must not be used to endorse or used to suggest nullAPnulls endorsement of a
commercial product or service. nullor more detail, please refer to nullAPnulls nullerms nullConditions
on its nulleb site: www.wrap.org.uk
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Introduction
nullntents Pages
1 nulltroduction nullnull
null nullructure of this guide null
null Policy contenull null
null nullrket contenull null
null Plastic bottle collection in the null 1nullnull
null nullheme design nullnullnull
null nullusehold communications nullnullnull
null Point of collection nullnullnull
null Postnullollection sorting and baling null
10 nullterial nullcycling nullacilities nullnullsnull null
Glossary null
Appendices null
A nullPlastic bottle grades null
nullnullnullample communications null
null InullRnullnullnull nullInull
nullis guide has been developed to support local authorities in nullgland and nullotland
that are either planning to collect, or are currently collecting, plastic bottles at the
kerbside. nulle guide focuses on manullmising plastic bottle material quality andnullr
capture rates from plastic bottlenullnly collection services.
An increasing number of local authorities collect a nullder range of plastic packaging
than just plastic bottles. nullese household plastic packaging schemes target a
varying range of materials, nullich can lead to higher yields of plastic being collected.
null ever, for a number of reasons discussed belonull the collection of household
plastic packaging is currently a topic of some debate nullthin the recycling industry.
nullilst this document does not seek to compare the advantages and disadvantages of
bottlenullnly versus household plastic packaging collections, it does focus on some of
the benenulls of bottlenullnly collections, particularly nullth regard to quality control.
nullor authorities that are planning to enulland their plastic bottle collection service
to incorporate other nonnullottle plastic packaging, nullAP is due to publish an
accompanying guide, nullich focuses specinullally on supporting authorities in the
collection of rigid household plastic packaging.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Introduction
nullnull nullarget audience
nullcal authorities
nullis guide is aimed specinullally at local authorities that:
Currently have plastic bottle collections in place at the kerbside and are looking
for advice on:
improving plastic bottle material qualitynullandnullr
increasing material quantity.
Are seeking advice on rolling out a plastic bottle collection service at the kerbside
nullich achieves high plastic bottle capture and quality rates.
Senior ofnullers
nullis guide is targeted at senior ofnullers nullthin nullste teams at local authorities. null
aims to communicate the key messages in a digestible and concise format that can
be consulted easily during busy schedules.
nullo ensure ease of access, readability and the broad applicability of the guide, this
document does not include detailed technical information on implementing the
advice provided. nullch detailed information can be obtained from
nullAPnulls local authority advisory service.
nullnull Scope of this guide
As this document is aimed specinullally at local authorities, the interventions that are
highlighted are focused predominantly on those that can be implemented by local
authorities themselves. nullis document focuses on honulllocal authorities and their
contractors can achieve the highest level of quality and quantity from a kerbside
plastic bottle collection scheme. nullo this end, a number of local authorities, material
recovery facility nullnullnulloperators and reprocessors nullere consulted and their feedback
integrated into the guide.
nullnull nullenullitions
null this guide, quantity and quality are denulled as follonull:
nullantity nullmeaning the quantity of plastic bottles captured at the kerbside. nullnullo
key measures of this are nullaterial capturenull nullich is commonly measured in
kilograms per household per year, and nullapture ratenull nullich is the percentage
of available material successfully captured for recycling by a kerbside collection
scheme.
nullality nullquality is a subjective term as acceptable levels of impurity vary by
reprocessor, and also depend on the equipment and manufacturing processes
used, and the markets sold into. nullundamentally, therefore, the denullition of
quality could be vienulled as the suppliernulls ability to meet the buyernulls enullectations,
as set out in their specinullation. nullnullever, given the need to be specinull in the
contenull of the guide, quality is denulled by the enullent of impurities nullthin the target
material stream.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Introduction
nullis guide focuses mainly on tnullo grades of plastic: Pnull and natural nullPnullbottle
grades. nullese are both used in the null for the production of rPnull and rnullPnull nullere
are tnullo key stages nullere the discussion of quality is particularly important:
nullstly, nullen material is entering the plastic recovery facility nullnullnullsorting
processnulland
secondly, nullen material is entering the rPnull and rnullPnullpreparation process.
A local authoritynulls ability to innullence quantity is limited to the earlier nullollectionnull
stages of the bottle recovery life cycle, including design of the recycling scheme
and the degree to nullich households are encouraged to participate through effective
communication programmes. nullality, on the other hand, is something that can be
targeted throughout the bottle recovery cycle.
nullnull nullur approach
nullo gather evidence for the development of this guide, several key areas of research
nullere undertaken:
industrynullerspective intervienull nullth plastics reprocessorsnull
intervienull nullth nullnulloperatorsnull
intervienull nullth local authorities that have demonstrated they are collecting
plastic bottles at the kerbside in high quantities andnullr of good qualitynull
nullropean researchnulland
analysis of secondary data.
Summary
nullis evidencenullased guide is relevant to senior ofnullers and other key decisionnull
makers from local authorities that:
are collecting, or are looking to begin collecting, postnullonsumer plastic
bottles as part of the household kerbside dry recycling collection servicenull
are interested in nullding out honullto improve the plastic bottle quality andnullr
quantitynull
do not nullsh to enulland the plastic bottle collection to include nonnullottle
plastic packaging in the short to medium term.
Guide
page null
Introduction Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Structure of
this guide
nulln null10null1 nullnullof local authorities in the null
offered a kerbside service for plastic bottles
Contents
Audience
nullcal authority nullth plastic bottle collection service null nullcal authority nullthout plastic bottle collection service
Policy context
nullis section provides a summary of any relevant policy drivers in the contenull of plastic bottle collection
in nullotland and nullgland.
Market context
Plastic bottle
collection in the UK
nullis section provides insights from the sorting and reprocessing industry into the supply of plastic bottles, the types of sorting
and reprocessing facilities and processes in the null, and plastic bottle quality.
nullis section presents the latest statistics for plastic bottle recycling in the null.
Scheme design
nullor authorities nullth an established plastic bottle collection
in place this section is only going to be relevant if redesign is
being considered null.g. collection contract is coming to an end
or service is performing poorly and a service change is being
considerednull
nullor authorities nullthout a plastic bottle collection service this
is a key section. null is recommended that it is initially
skimnullead to provide an overvienullbefore reading subsequent
sections in order to incorporate the actions presented in later
chapters in the design of any nenullservice.
Household
communications
nullis section enullmines 1nullcommunications associated nullth the
rollnullut of a nenullscheme, and null ongoing communciations.
Authorities nullould be advised to read section nullnull on improving
ongoing communications to households.
nullis section enullmines 1nullcommunications associated nullth the
rollnullut of a nenullscheme, and null ongoing communications.
nullth forms of communication are of relevance to authorities
nullshing to implement a nenullservice.
Point of
collection
Authorities nullth a scheme can use the detail presented here
to assist them in manullmising the quality of material that is
collected.
Authorities nullthout a plastic bottle collection service nullll benefit
from the discussion in this section as it contains a number of
implications that should be considered nullen designing a nenull
scheme.
Post-collection
sorting & baling
nullis section provides guidance on honullpostnullollection sorting and compaction can be used to improve the quality nullnd therefore
valuenullof plastic bottle collections.
MRFs
nullis section enullmines nullat measures local authorities can take in coordination nullth nullnull to ensure that they receive the highest prices for
sorted and baled materials. Again, this section is relevant to both types of authorities, either as a source of ideas for implementation nullthin
the current scheme or for inclusion nullthin future contracts.
null SnullRnullnull nullRnull nullF
nullHIS GnullInull
nullis guide is organised so that
it renullcts the life cycle of plastic
bottle collection and recycling
from a typical local authoritynulls
perspective and highlights the key
intervention points. nullis should
allonullreaders to navigate easily
to the most applicable sections,
regardless of nullether or not their
authority has a collection regime
in place
Figure null nullcument structure
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Policy
context
Ensuring that our anullroach to extracting recyclablesnullsuch as nullnullr and nullasticnull
from our nullste generates material of sufnulliently high nullality to meet the needs of
renullocessors here and abroad and to comnully nullth the international rules on nullste
shinullentsnull
null Pnullnullnull null nullnullnullnull
nullnullernullenull
nullder the revised nullaste nullramenullork nullrective there is a requirement to set up
a separate collection of nullt least the follonullng: paper, metal, plastic and glassnull
from the household nullste stream by null1null nullnullever, the current policy settings in
both nullgland and nullotland do not map out specinull requirements for plastic bottle
collection and recycling. nullis section provides a summary of relevant policy drivers
in nullgland and nullotland, and indicates relevant forthcoming policy in the nullottish
contenull.
nullnull Relenullant targets
null nullgland, the overarching objective is to recycle nullnullof household nullste by nullnull,
as outlined in the most recent nullaste nullrategy for nullgland null00null.
1
nullotlandnulls targets,
outlined in the nullro nullaste Plan,
null
are to recycle nullnullby nullnull and nullnullby nullnull, along
nullth a manullmum of null of nullste to landnulll by this time.
nulle nullro nullaste nullgulations are likely to place a requirement on nullottish local
authorities to collect, as a minimum, paper, card, plastics, cans and glass.
null
1. nullfra null00null nullaste nullrategy for nullgland null0null
null nullottish nullvernment null010nullnullotlandnulls nullro nullaste Plan
null nullottish nullvernment null011nullPolicy nullatement
nullerefore, in terms of increasing capture, this guide is particularly pertinent for
nullottish local authorities. null is also nullorth noting that the nullottish targets, unlike
those in nullgland, are carbon based, nullich has further implications because of
the carbon benenulls associated nullth recycling plastic bottles nullhese items have a
relatively high value nullthin the nullottish nullvernmentnulls carbon metric relative to other
materialsnull
null
nullnull Reprocessing obnullctinulles
nulle null11 nullvienullof nullaste Policy in nullgland
null
set the scene for this guide by
establishing a qualitynullelated challenge. nullat is:
null nullotland, the nullro nullaste Plan aims to encourage collection and recycling of more
plastics by developing facilities in nullotland.
null nullottish nullvernment null011nullnullotlandnulls nullro nullaste Plan: Carbon nulltric nullidance, nullrch null11
null nullfra null011nullnullvernment nullvienullof nullaste Policy in nullgland null11
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Market
context
null MARnullnull nullnullnullnull nullnull null sorting facilities
null cases nullere the kerbside collection system is multinulltream nullerbside sortnull
plastics that are not enullorted may be sent either directly for reprocessingnullorting at
a Pnull or to a nullnullfor further sorting into different polymer grades. nulle latter sorting
process depends on the enullent of the technology at the nullnull. nullis is illustrated in
nullgure null
nullnullernullenull
A number of major null reprocessors nullere intervienulled to obtain a balanced vienullof
the market. nullformation nulls obtained on:
the supply of plastic bottlesnull
the types of sorting and reprocessing facilities in the nullnulland
the vienull of reprocessors on quality and sorting processes.
nullnull nullenullitions
null the contenull of this section, the follonullng terms are important to understand:
Material reconullery facility, or MRF, is a separation plant nullere kerbside
recyclables are separated into material types and baled or loaded in bulk for
further processing by specialist recyclers. nullypical recyclables handled are
paper, card, metals, minulled plastic bottles and sometimes glass. nullme nullnull
also separate one or more of the more abundant and higher value plastic bottle
streams, typically Pnull or nullPnull nullnullever, nullnull increasingly concentrate on
separating minulled plastic bottles for further separation at a specialist plastics
recovery facility nullnullnull
Plastic reconullery facility, or PRF, is a facility set up specinullally to sort plastics
by polymer type andnullr colour. nullme of the processes carried out at a Pnull may
also occur at the front end of a reprocessor site and some Pnull operators have
themselves invested in donullstream reprocessing to make highnullrade nullished
recycled polymers.
nullurther denullitions of key terms are given in the glossary .
Household set out
nullastic bottes
Plastic bottles sorted into senullrate
comnullrtment of nullehicle
nullmnulle sort line nullay
include remonullal of
cansnullandnullr baler
Materials bulkednull
baled and sold to a
renullocessor nullth no
further sorting
nullnulllied to MRFnull
nullssibly through
an in-feed nullastic
nullckaging line
nullnulllied to PRF or
exnullrted
nulle PRF nullocess
nulligure null
nulle MRF nullocess
nulligure null
Figure null Collection and sorting of plastic bottles in multinulltream systems.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Market
context
nullnullnull Material reconullery facilities
null cases nullere the kerbside collection system is singlenulltream, the
conullingled recyclables nullll be sorted in a nullnullto separate plastics
from the other dry recyclables. A tnullonulltream collection may also
be sorted via a nullnullin order to separate, for enullmple, plastics from
cans.
nullgure nulloutlines honullhousehold plastics collected via singlenullor
tnullonulltream schemes may be sorted in different types of nullnull,
based on the sorting technology used. nulle have characterised
nullnull as nullsmallnullnullanual sortingnull nullediumnullnullore mechanisednull
automated sortingnullor nullargenullnulleavily mechanisednullutomated
sortingnull nullese nullnulltypes are illustrative and there are many
enullceptions to the general rule that larger nullnull are more
mechanised than smaller nullnull. nullnullever, it is the case that
more mechanised nullnull are more capitalnullntensive and therefore
generally larger. nulley typically sort plastics into a greater
number of polymer streams, nullth the higher throughput making
it nullancially viable to invest in more sophisticated optical sorting
technologies to identify different polymer types.
A larger nullnullcase study is illustrated in nullable 1 using the enullmple
of nullffanulls nullmonton nullnull.
nullction 10 of this guide gives further details about nullnull.
nullusehold setnullut plastic bottles
Plastic bottles collected conullingled
nullth other recyclables
nullpplied to nullnull
Sorting process to remove paper, cardboard, plastic
films, glass, etc. to end up with a predominantly
mixed rigid plastic stream
nullaller nullnullnullmay then
bale a minulled rigid plastic
product
nullrge nullnull may then use
nearnullnfrared nullnullnullsorters
andnullr manual picking to
produce nulle or more grades
of rigid plastics
nulldiumnullinull nullnull may
then use nearnullnfrared
nullnullnullsorters andnullr manual
picking to produce several
grades of rigid plastic
nullnulled rigid plastics
Clear Pnull
plastic bottles
Clear Pnull
plastic bottles
nulltural nullPnull
plastic bottles
nulltural nullPnull
plastic bottles
Coloured Pnull
plastic bottles
Coloured nullPnull
plastic bottles
MRF
Inputs
MRF
Sorting
nullnulled rigid plastics
MRF
nulluputs
nullterial
from mutinull
stream
and bring
collections
Figure null nullnglenulland tnullonulltream collection systems and the
subsequent sorting of plastic bottles at nullsmallnull nullediumnulland
nullargenullnullnull.
nulle PRF nullocess nulligure null
Guide
page 10
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Market
context
nullffanulls nulldmonton Material Analysis Facilitynull A case study
nullckground
nullffanulls nullnullat nullmonton, nullrth nullndon, is a large modern nullnull. nullully operational
since nullne null10, the plant nulls designed for a throughput of null0,000 tonnes per
annum and is currently processing null0,000 tonnes per annum nullth a complement
of null0 staff. nullis scale of operation has made it viable to incorporate a high degree
of technology and manual quality control for the accurate sorting of plastics.
Processes that lead to nullality nullastic outnullts nullan onullernullenull
nulle nullmonton nullnullseparates nulle key rigid household plastic packaging product
lines nullich include Pnull suitable for rPnull production and natural nullPnullthat is
supplied directly to the nullffa nulldcar rnullPnullproduction plant. nulle process diagram
belonullshonull in simplinulld terms honullthe plant separates plastic products. nulle
plant actually has tnullo lines for separating conullingled materials and a separate
innulleed line for minulled containers. nullere are also a fenullprocesses not noted in the
diagram for simplicity. null is important to note that there is a signinullant amount of
manual removal of plastic nullms at various stages of the process. nulle follonullng
sections detail the processes that help to manullmise Pnull and nullPnullquality. An
overvienullprocess diagram is shonull in nullgure null
nullable null nullffanulls nullmonton nullnullnullan enullmple of good practice in the design and
management of a facility to produce quality Pnull and nullPnullbottle materials
nullesting innullt
nullffa recognises that in order to produce quality materials, quality conullingled
input is required. nullads arriving at the plant are regularly sampled nullnd sorted as
a gravimetric assaynull and suppliers are given feedback on the quality of the loads.
null necessary, loads are rejected.
Remonullal of other items to leanulle
a container stream
nulle key to successful sorting
of the separate plastic bottle
streams from a minulled plastic
packaging stream is to ensure
that as much other material
as possible is removed before
nearnullnfrared nullnullnullseparation
of the polymer streams.
nulle nullmonton process
includes numerous stages of
separating other recyclates and
contaminants. nulle signinullant
processes are several stages
of separating tnullonullimensional
items nullostly nullres: paper and
cardnullfrom threenullimensional
items nullontainers: rigid
household plastic packaging,
glass and cansnull
Prenullort nullmanual
removal of nullms and
large items
nullnullnullsorting. Papers
go up, containers drop
through
Guide
page 11
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Market
context
Remonullal of nullres and
contaminants from the nullastics
and cans stream
Contamination of plastic
product streams from fibres
is a common problem with
some MRF-sorted plastic
products. null addition to some
downstream process design
and operations, the nullmonton
plant incorporates enullipment
to remove small pieces of fibre
that have escaped the previous
fibre sort and have therefore
ended up in the container
stream. nulle plant includes an
air drum separator that utilises
a vacuum drum screen to
remove light, small materials,
such as small pieces of fibre,
from the container stream. nullter
this process further pieces of
enullipment null fines screen and
an air nullifenullremove additional
small contaminants from the
container stream.
nullr drum senullrator
remonullng light
fractions from
containers
nullr knife nullt rearnull
and screen remonullng
smallnullight items
from nullastics and
cans
nullar-infrared nullnullnullsorters
nulle nullR sorters detect plastic
polymers and colours. nullch
machine loonull for target
polymers and colours and when
detected, instructs an air nullife
to blow off the wanted item null
positive sortnull nulle nullRs are set
up at nullmonton to result in
nullality nullnullnulltural and nullnull
nulltural. nulle first nullR in line
sorts all nullnullmaterial positively,
leaving everything else to pass.
nulle nullnullonly stream then
passes under a nullR which
positively sorts for nullnullnulltural.
nullus material selected as nullnull
nulltural has been positively
selected twice as nullnull. nulle same
process occurs on material that
passed the nullnullline for nullnull
selection.
nullR nullocess diagram nullourcenullnullion for nullnullnull
nullR nullnullrator
Guide
page 1null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Market
context
nullR cleanliness
nullnullsorters rely on light being renullcted. null the light source and sensors become
dirty the light cannot pass and items can be missed. nulle machines at nullmonton
monitor this situation and shut donull if they become too dirty. nullnullever, this is
mitigated by a frequent cleaning schedule that results in the machines being
thoroughly cleaned at least three times per shift. A clean air nullnullto the machine is
also important to avoid air nonullle corrosion. nulle nullmonton air circulation is highly
nulltered to remove moisture in particular.
Post-nullR manual nullality check
Although nullnullsorters are an
efnullient nully of sorting plastics
they are not perfect and missnull
sorts do occur. null is essential
therefore to have a dedicated
manual check of plastic stream
quality. nullis stage is often
absent from smaller nullnull.
At nullmonton, three separate
quality control cabins are
operated: one for Pnull, one for
nullPnulland the other for minulled
plastics and recirculating
material. null each cabin the
operatives pass incorrectly
sorted material either onto the
opposite belt or donull a chute to
be sent back round.
Post-nullR nullality check for HnullE
nullnker and baling control
nullrted material is held in
bunkers before being sent to a
baler. nullen snulltching from one
material to the nenull, a minulled
bale is produced. At nullmonton,
good practice is follonulled and
minulled bales are either split
and resorted or donullgraded.
nullorkers are incentivised to
ensure the quality of the bales.
nullnished bales are stored
undercover so they do not
absorb moisture from rainfall.
Finished HnullE natural being baled
Guide
page 1null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
Market
context
Figure null nullmonton process nullnulldiagram nullth a focus on plastic bottles
nullavimetric
testing
of input
material
nullnual
prenullort
removal
nulllms and
residues
Paper and
cardboard
processes
nulldimensio nalnull
nulldimensional
separation
processes
Containers
nullass
breakernull
separation
nullass
Air separators
nullght fractions
e.g. paper pieces
nulleel
nullerband
magnet
nullass
nullurther glass
separation
nullcycled into
system
nullne particle
separation
and air knife
Aluminium
nulldy current
separation
nullnullseparating
nullPnull
nullnully nullnullseparating
postive sort on minulled plastics
postive sort on missed items
to be sent back round
negative sort is residue
nullgid plastics
nullnullseparating
Pnull
nullnullseparating
postive sort on Pnull nulltural
nulllearnull
negative sort Pnull nullnull
nullnullseparating
postive sort on nullPnullnatural
negative sort nullPnullnullnull
Pnull nullPnull
nullnual null
nullnulled plastics nullcirculate
Pnull
nulltural
Pnull
nullnull
nullnual null nullnual null
nullsidue
nullnual null
nullPnull
nulltural
nullPnull
nullnull
nullnual null nullnual null
nullnkers and
baling
nullnkers and
baling
nullnkers and
baling
nullnkers and
baling
nullnkers and
baling
nullck to
containers
Plastics
and cans
Guide
page 1null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Market
context
nullnullnull Plastic reconullery facilitiesnullfront-end of the renullocessing facility
nulle output from the separate collection or nullnullprocesses may be
either:
baled and sent to a null reprocessornull
baled and enullortednullor
fed in to a Pnull for further sorting.
nullurther sorting in a Pnull may be necessary in order to produce the high
quality plastic bottle bales required by bottle reprocessors in the null null
good quality plastic bottle bale is considered to be at the very minimum
nullnullplastic bottlesnull
null is important to note that although there are several Pnulls in the null,
they are all set up in slightly different nullys, and are therefore designed
to accept a variety of different input streams. nulle majority of Pnulls are
designed to accept a predominantly bottlenullich input material stream,
and therefore have limited capacity to handle nonnullottle plastics and
other contaminants. nullnullever, there are a smaller number of facilities
nullich have capacity to handle a nullder range of input materials, including
minulled plastic packaging and metals.
At present most facilities in the null have been designed for input
material that is close to nullnullPnull, nullnullnullPnulland nullnullother. nulle
inclusion of nonnullottle rigid plastic packaging nullll therefore substantially
alter this minulland could impact on sorting and reprocessing efnulliencies.
An enullmple of the typical outputs arising from a Pnull is shonull in
nullgure nullnullich makes it clear that the plastics are sorted into many
more polymer grades than is achievable at typical medium and
largenullcale nullnull.
nullarious grades of minulled plastic packaging nullth differing amounts of bottles
from various sources
PRF
Inputs
nullrting processes
PRF
Sorting
Pnull suitable
for rPnull
PRF
nullutputs
nullher Pnull
nullostly
colourednull
Pnull Aluminium
nullnull
nullro value
recyclates
nulltural
nullPnull
suitable for
rnullPnull
Coloured
nullPnull
Pnull nulleel
PP nullsidues
Figure null nullypical outputs from Pnulls
Guide
page 1null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Market
context
nullnullnull Renullocessing
nullce the different grades of plastic bottles have been sorted, material is typically
nullked and cleaned using various nullshing processes. nullme producers then sell
the nullked product. nullher producers have enullrusion facilities to change the nullked
material into pellets. nulle nullked or enullruded material is referred to as rPnull or rnullPnull
and in closednulloop processes is used to produce nenullplastic packaging.
nullst of the larger null plastic reprocessors have the sorting, nullshing and nullking
facilities at the same sitenullhence discussions about the quality of materials reaching
these facilities include both the sorting process and the donullstream reprocessing.
nullnull nullanging feedstock
As noted in section nullnullnull, most null facilities nullere designed for input material that
is close to nullnullPnull, nullnullnullPnulland nullnullother. nullnullever, feedstock is changing
to include a greater proportion of nonnullottle rigid plastic packaging. nullis is
substantially altering input proportions nullor enullmple, reducing concentrations of Pnull
and nullPnull, nullich is having knocknulln effect on sorting and reprocessing efnulliencies.
nullnullnull nully has feedstock changednull
nullere are various vienull on nully the proportions of Pnull and nullPnullin Pnull feedstock
have fallen. nullta does not support the idea that the sale of Pnull or natural nullPnull
bottles has diminished over time. null fact, the numbers of plastic bottles null.e. Pnull
and nullPnull entering the nullste stream have actually risen in recent years as a result
of improved local authority collections and increased consumption.
null
nulle industrynulls
most common vienullis that proportions of nullPnulland Pnull have decreased because
a greater number of local authorities nullth a plastic bottle collection are not actively
managing the collection of target materials only. nuller time, this has led to greater
volumes of nonnullottle rigid plastic packaging entering the recycling stream, nullich
effectively nullilutesnullthe plastic bottle bales that are sent to Pnulls.
nullnullnull nulle imnullct of the changing feedstocks
nulle increased proportion of nonnullottle rigid plastic packaging in the plastic bottle
stream means that Pnulls nonullhave to cope nullth a stream signinullantly different from
the one they nullere originally designed to handle. nullis means that:
sorting lines need to run at a slonuller speed to cope nullth processes that nullere
designed to handle lonuller quantities of nonnullottle rigid plastic packagingnull
contaminantsnull
null nullcoup null010nullnull nullusehold Plastic Packaging Collection nullrvey null10,
nulley messages for local authorities
nulle type of kerbside collection employed nullinglenulltream conullingled, tnullonulltream
or multinulltreamnullnullll determine the requirement for nullnullandnullr Pnull sorting
facilities. nulling anullre of honullthese facilities function, and their requirements
nullth regard to feedstock quality, can help ensure that quality issues are dealt
nullth further upstream of the sorting process. nullilst Pnulls typically are more
specialised and produce a higher quality plastic polymer output, in practice, due
to differences betnulleen facilities, it is necessary to be familiar nullth the specinull
sorting facility nullth nullich the local authority or its collection contractor is under
contract.
nulltails of typical material grades postnullnull and Pnull sorting processes are
described and illustrated in AppendinullA. All technical terms are enulllained in the
nullossary .
Guide
page 1null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Market
context
the net value of sorted material is lonuller due to increased amounts of lonuller
gradesnullontaminantsnull
the net impact of these tnullo points ensures that income per hour is lonuller. nullis is
renullcted in the price paid for the input material nulln other nullords, the price paid to
an authority or its contractornull
the capacity of sorting processes is reduced nullth regard to nullal rPnull and rnullPnull
production. nullis results in an increasing capacity gap betnulleen:
the nullnulls capacity to sort bottles and rigid household plastic packagingnulland
the nullnulls capacity to nullsh and prepare Pnull and nullPnullinto rPnull and rnullPnull
nullnull Reprocessor nullenull regarding the market
reaction to nullality changes
nulle rise in nonnullottle plastics nullthin plastic bottle grades has begun to cause a shift
in the market. nullis shift has, honullever, been slonulland as a result there is still limited
null capacity for the sorting of a minulled plastics material stream to the standard
required by many null reprocessors.
nullprocessornullnull operator feedback suggests that around half of the recovered
plastic bottles and the bulk of other minulled plastic packaging are currently enullorted.
nullcreasing quantities of nonnullottle plastics are likely to lead to more plastics
nullncluding more bottlesnullbeing enullorted in the short term nullr at least until additional
null capacity for sorting nonnullottle minulled plastics comes onlinenull null cases nullere a
minulled plastic stream nulls previously a quality plastic bottle stream, null reprocessors
and manufacturers are missing out.
nulley messages for local authorities
nullis section has highlighted signinullant feedstock problems for the reprocessors
as increasing amounts of minulled plastic packaging dilute the presence of Pnull and
nullPnullbottles. nullundamentally, this is renullcted back to local authorities as a cost,
through a reduction in the price they receive for their plastic bottles.
nullis major impact on both reprocessors and local authorities clearly suggests
that the rise of minulled plastic packaging recycling is posing a signinullant quality
issue for the current market. At present, a further problem is the limited null
infrastructure for sorting plastic bottles from a minulled plastic packaging grade to
produce a high quality product.
nulley messages for local authorities
nulle key message from the null reprocessorsnullnull operators to local authorities is
that presently the collection of all household plastic packaging nullither because
of a specinull focus on minulled plastic packaging, or a lack of management of a
bottlenullnly collectionnullmay be contributing to the enullort of plastic bottles that
could othernullse be sorted and reprocessed in the null. nulltaining materials nullthin
nullotland in order to reap the economic benenulls of reprocessing is an important
part of the nullottish nullvernmentnulls nullro nullaste Plan. nullis is strongly supported by
both nullro nullaste nullotland and nullAP in both nullotland and nullgland.
Guide
page 1null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Market
context
nullnull ReprocessornullRF nullenull on MRFs
All Pnull operatorsnulleprocessors report that some nullnull are contributing to the
problems that Pnulls are enulleriencing nullth Pnull and nullPnullconcentrations. nullis is
partly due to higher levels of nonnullottle plastics in their nullnulloutputs, but also due to
higher levels of nonnulllastics such as paper, glass and tenulliles.
null is reported that sorting processes in some nullnull are inadequate in terms of their
capability to produce a high quality bottle grade. nullis may be further enullcerbated as
some nullnulloperators nullccording to feedback from Pnullsnulleprocessorsnulldo not feel
there is sufnullient economic advantage to sort properly. As a result these operators
are producing outputs that cause process problems in Pnulls through, for enullmple,
glass contamination, nullich is abrasive and contributes to machinery nullearnulltenullile
contamination, nullich frequently gets tangled in belts and other machinerynullor
streams of bottle Pnull and bottle nullPnullnatural nullich contain signinullant proportions
of other minulled nonnullottle plastic grades.
nullprocessornullnull feedback is less clear on nullether some nullnull may also provide
part of the solution. A number of more modern nullnull sort plastics into a large
number of plastic categories, including sorting Pnullnullich and nullPnullrich products. null
theory, this sorting should replace some of the necessary bottle sorting capacity that
is required. nullnullever, reprocessors report that these materials are rarely sorted to a
high enough standard to be used nullthout being sent through the entire Pnull sorting
process. As a result, the additional premium that is asked for these materials is
arguably higher than their nullorth to null reprocessors.
null reprocessorsnullnull operators have voiced some concerns about the enullort
of these materials. nullilst there nullll be many reputable overseas reprocessors,
there may also be some enullmples nullere nullorking conditions and environmental
protection are of a questionable standard. null addition to social and environmental
concerns, the enullort market is also having an economic impact, nullth null
reprocessors being outbid for materials. nullis is because overseas operators
typically have lonuller overheads due to lonuller energy, labour and disposal costs. nulle
cost of shipping does little to close this gap, allonullng overseas reprocessors to
pay a signinullant premium for lonuller quality material that requires greater levels of
sorting, cleaning and processing.
nullcal authorities can have increased connullence in the end market for their
product by ensuring a good level of reporting by contractors to assist in the
traceability of the recyclables they collect. Authorities can also use evaluation
criteria in the procurement process nullf either service contractors or reprocessorsnull
to increase the likelihood of higher quality recycling null.g. closednulloop recyclingnull
null order to do this, it is possible to use quality criteria relating to the security of
outlets, material traceability and end uses of materials, alongside price criteria.
Guide
page 1null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Market
context
nullnull ReprocessornullRF nullenull on technical
capability
nulle lack of capacity to effectively sort bottles from a minulled plastic packaging stream
is reportedly due to the limited availability of appropriate technologies in the null,
but this is not to say that the technology does not enullst and that it nullll not develop
rapidly in the coming years. nullere are no major technical problems in sorting these
materials if a plant has been designed to take them. nullere are, honullever, potential
economic barriers relating to the cost of sorting lonullernullalue materials such as minulled
plastic packaging nullhich nullll mostly be enullorted once sortednull largely due to the
lonuller sorting costs abroad.
Possible minor issues associated nullth sorting minulled plastic packaging may be
encountered nullen dealing nullth the sorting of multinullolymer composite packaging.
nullor enullmple, an nullPnulltray nullth a Pnull nullm lid still attached may be sorted by an
optical sorter into either the nullPnullstream or the Pnull stream, thereby contaminating
either stream. nullere are also minor issues nullth elevated levels of food residues,
nullich contribute to machinery nullear and increase the costs of nullshing processes.
nulley messages for local authorities
null is important to understand the specinull capabilities of the nullnullfacility accepting
materials from the local authority. nulle collection scheme design, and materials
targeted, should be taken into account nullen procuring nullnullcontracts, to ensure
compatibility betnulleen the collection system and nullnullinput specinullation.
Guide
page 1null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Plastic
bottle
collection
null PnullSnullInullnullnullnull null nullnullnull null nullInull Inull nullHnull null
nullnullernullenull
Although the collection of plastic bottles has increased dramatically over the last
decade, capture rates are still relatively lonull. null is important to be anullre of honulla
local authoritynulls capture rate benchmarks against other authorities, in order to
understand an authoritynulls scope for improvement in the future.
nulle collection of plastic bottles has increased dramatically over the last decade, from
less than 1null000 tonnes in null00 to over null0,000 tonnes in null10 nulligure null.
null
nullcoup reports that nullnull000 tonnes of plastic bottles nullere consumed in null0null null this,
an estimated null,000 tonnes nullere consumed outside the home, nullile the remainder
nullnullnull000 tonnes or nullnullnullentered the household nullste stream. nullcoup assumed an
annual gronullh rate of null per year, nullich gave a total consumption of nullnull000 tonnes of
plastic bottles in null0nullnullnull,000 tonnes assumed to have been consumed in the homenull
At this rate of gronullh, it is reported that recycling rates for plastic bottles have
increased from 1null in null0nullto null.null in null10 nullates for null0null null0null null0nulland null0null
nullere nullnull nullnull nullnull and nullnullrespectivelynull
null,null
null nullcoup null011nullnull nullusehold Plastic Packaging Collection nullrvey null11,
presentation delivered by nulluart nulloster, nullputy Cnull of nullcoup.
null nullcoup null011nullnull nullusehold Plastic Packaging Collection nullrvey null11,
presentation delivered by nulluart nulloster, nullputy Cnull of nullcoup.
null nullcoup null010nullnull nullusehold Plastic Packaging Collection nullrvey null10,
1nullnull 1nullnull 1nullnull 1nullnull 1nullnull 1nullnull null00 null01 null0null null0null null0null null0null null0null null0null null0null null0null null10 null11 null1null
null0,000
null0,000
null0,000
null0,000
null0,000
null0,000
1null,000
100,000
null,000
0
null
onnes
nulln bottle bringnullrbside bottle nulln bottle kerbsidenulling bottle
Figure null nullse in tonnes of plastic bottles collected by bring and kerbside collection
schemes in the null
SourcenullRecoup nullnullnull null nullusehold nullastic nullacnullging Collection Survey nullnull, presentation delivered by
Stuart Foster, nullputy Cnull of Recoup.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Plastic
bottle
collection
nulley messages for local authorities
Although the capture rate for plastic bottles has increased markedly in recent
years it is still relatively lonullat null.null, especially considering that in null0null10 nullnullof
null households had access to a kerbside collection service nullich collected plastic
bottles. According to nullcoupnulls null10 survey nullnullof authorities collecting plastic
bottles at the kerbside offered a plastic bottlenullnly service, nullth the remaining nullnull
offering collection services for nonnullottle rigid plastic packaging nullots, tubs and trays
onlynullor minulled plastics packaging nullncluding plastic nullmsnull
nullcent rises in capture rates have been associated nullth enullanding kerbside
collection services and a decreasing reliance on bring sites. nullis is illustrated
in nullgure null nullich shonull that betnulleen null0nulland null10 plastic bottle collection
increased by 1null0null tonnesnullthis rise nulls due to an increasing reliance upon kerbside
collections, nullth a slight fall in tonnage collected via bring sites.
SourcenullRecoup nullnullnull null nullusehold nullastic nullacnullging Collection Survey nullnull,
www.recoup.orgnullusinessnullefault.aspnulland Recoup nullnullnull null nullusehold nullastic nullacnullging Collection
Survey nullnull, presentation delivered by Stuart Foster, nullputy Cnull of Recoup.
Figure null nulleakdonull of the percentage and quantity of plastic packaging collected
via scheme type null00nullnull10null
nullnull
1null
nullnull
1null
nullnull
nullher plastic kerbside
null1,nullnulltonnesnull
Plastic bottle bring
nullnullnullnulltonnesnull
Plastic bottle kerbside
nullnull,nullnulltonnesnull
nullher plastic bring
null,1null tonnesnull
nullnull
1null
1null
null
nullnull
nullher plastic kerbside
nullnullnullnulltonnesnull
Plastic bottle bring
nullnullnullnulltonnesnull
nullher plastic bring
null,null1 tonnesnull
Plastic bottle kerbside
null1nullnullnulltonnesnull
null order to get a good understanding of each local authoritynulls plastic bottle
recycling performance it is recommended that nullAPnulls kerbside dry recycling
performance benchmarking tool is used nullhttp:nulllabenchmark.nullap.org.uknullnull nullis
shonull the latest analysis of national datasets and the breakdonull by nullnullnearest
neighbour group.
1
10. nullaste nullnullsources Action Programme null011nullnully nullcycling Performance nullnchmarks
null
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Scheme
design
null Snull Mnull nullSIGnull
nullor local authorities nullthout a plastic bottle collection system in place, the process
nullll have to start by systematically planning and designing a collection scheme nullich
best suits local demands and needs. nullis section addresses key decisionnullaking
areas.
nullo is this section fornull
nullcal authorities nullthout a plastic bottle collection servicenulland
nullcal authorities nullshing to redesignnulletender their collection service.
nullnullernullenull
nullis section discusses system design features such as containment and collection
frequency, as nullell as honullto counter contamination through effective design. null
also describes features of the service that can be dealt nullth effectively through
the commissioning and procurement process, such as contractor reporting and
communications.
nulle nully in nullich collection systems are designed impacts upon the material
minullure nullthin nullich plastic bottles are collected. nullis can range from a minullure
of plastic bottle polymers at one end of the scale, to a conullingled minullure of dry
recyclable materials collected for recycling at the other.
nullor authorities nullth a plastic bottle collection system in place, information derived
from nullAPnulls online benchmarking tool for dry recycling performance
10
may instigate
a service redesign for those authorities nullth potential for capture rate improvement.
Alternatively, if the local authority is coming to the end of a collection contract, it may
nullsh to revisit the overall operation of the scheme.
null the contenull of this guide, nullscheme designnullcan mean either:
procurement of the service contract nullereby plastic bottles are specinulld as one
of the materials being collectednullor
nullere plastic bottles are added to the list of recyclables being collected at the
kerbside, either part nully through a contract or as part of a change to an innullouse
service.
11. nullaste nullnullsources Action Programme null011nullnully nullcycling Performance nullnchmarks,
nullte Accessed: 1nullnulltober null11
A reprocessornulls perspectinulle
nullere is no consistent vienullon nullat local authorities should be doing. null ever,
there are some emerging themes that tnullo or more reprocessors have
enullressed. nullth regard to managing the minullure of minulled plastic packaging
and plastic bottles it is suggested that local authorities:
Carefully consider the consequences of specifying a minulled plastics
collection or allonullng plastic bottlenullnly services to drift tonullrds a minulled
plastic packaging collectionnulland
Consider the available null sorting capacity to deal nullth minulled plastic
packaging and bottles.
null
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Scheme
design
nullnull nullntainment and collection frenullency and
their impact on nullality and nullantity
Plastic bottles are a bulky material and therefore providing sufnullient capacity for
their storage and collection is vitally important. nulle sections nullich follonulloutline
some of the key issues associated nullth containment and collection frequency that
need to be considered nullen developing a nenullscheme.
nullnullnullRecycling containment
nullere are typically three options for the collection of plastic bottles at the kerbside:
kerbside collection bonulles nullypically ranging from null litres to null litres in capacitynull
nulleeled bins nullsually 1null or null0 litrenull or
sacks nullither disposable or reusablenull
Anecdotal evidence suggests that material quality depends directly on the enullent
to nullich a scheme encourages households to sort plastic bottles into separate
containers. nullhemes include:
multinulltream or kerbside sort schemes nullich specify that plastic bottles must be
in a particular container nullerbside bonullor sacknull and
tnullonulltream schemes nullich specify that plastic bottles must be in a specinull
container, separated from at least some other recyclable materials.
nullnullnullRecycling canullcity
nulle recycling capacity available to a householder depends on:
the type and volume of container providednulland
the frequency of collection.
Provision of sufnullient recycling capacity has a direct effect on the quantity of plastic
bottles collected. nullus, nullether rolling out a nenullscheme or adding plastic bottles to
a current collection system, recycling capacity needs to be carefully considered.
nullAP considers that a volume equivalent to 100nullnull litres per nulleek is appropriate
for a kerbside collection scheme that includes plastic bottles.
nullor conullingled collections, nullich most commonly utilise a nulleeled bin of null0 litres
collected on a fortnightly basis, capacity may be less of an issue than for a kerbside
sort scheme. nullere smaller containers are provided, such as bonulles or sacks, it is
important to ensure that sufnullient capacity in total is provided. null should be noted,
honullever, that smaller containers are frequently collected nulleekly to compensate for
the smaller container volume.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Scheme
design
nulley messages for local authorities
nullcycling capacity directly affects capture rates and must therefore be carefully
considered by local authorities. nullven the scope of this guide, it is clearly not
possible to discuss all collection system types in detailnullthus, the above generic
description of container provision and collection frequency is vastly simplinulld.
null aims merely to highlight the main alternatives and honulloverall capacity is
determined by the interrelationship betnulleen container volume and collection
frequency. nulle main point is that if recycling capacity proves to be a limiting factor
for the householder, anecdotal evidence suggests that an increasing number of
people may revert to placing recyclables into the residual nullste bin. nullis seems
to be particularly true nullere an alternate nulleekly collection system is in place null.e.
nullere recyclables are collected one nulleek and refuse the nenullnull
nullfnullient recycling capacity for the target materials must be made available
in order to manullmise the potential for plastic bottle captures nullee nullAPnulls
benchmarking study regression analysis results on the impact of containment
volume on yieldsnull
11
nullnullnull Refuse containment
nullstricting the capacity of residual nullste containment, nullilst also providing
sufnullient recycling capacity, can clearly encourage householders to divert dry
recyclables from their residual nullste bin nullhis is particularly true for bulky items
such as plastic bottlesnull nullnullever, there may be an unintended consequence
of restricting such residual capacity. Anecdotal evidence suggests that nullere
residual capacity is restricted too much, i.e. there is insufnullient room for a
householdernulls nullste, the overnullnullmay be placed in the recycling container. nullis
can result in a high level of contamination, nullich may lead to the nullole recycling
container being rejected and disposed of in the residual nullste stream. nullis is
clearly the enullct opposite of the intended effect.
1null nullaste nullnullsources Action Programme null011nullnully nullcycling Performance nullnchmarks,
null
For further informationnull refer to the follonullng reportsnull
nulltec null nulld null00null Alternate nulleekly Collections nullidance, nullport for nullaste
nullnullsources Action Programme, nullly null0null
nullAP null00null nullrbside nullcycling: nulldicative Costs and Performance,
nullne null0null
nullnomia nullsearch nullConsulting null00null nulle nullnancial Costs of Collecting
nullnulled Plastics Packaging, nullport for nullaste nullnullsources Action Programme,
nullne null0null
nullAP null00null Choosing the nullght nullcycling Collection nullstem, nullne null0null
nullook nullyndhurst nulld null00null nullaste Collection Commitment, nullport for nullaste null
nullsources Action Programme and nullcal nullvernment Association, August null0null
nullsource nullutures null010nullAnalysis of nullrbside nully nullcycling Performance
in the null null0null0null nullport for the nullaste nullnullsources Action Programme,
nullptember null10
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Scheme
design
nullnull nullmmissioning and procurement
nullsides containment and collection frequency issues, the commissioningnull
procurement stage is the best time to deal nullth a series of other issues including
contamination, reporting and contractor communications. nullere services are
contracted out, specinull service requirements must be outlined in the service
specinullation document and the conditions of contract.
nullnullnull Policy on dealing nullth contamination
null is important to be clear about the authoritynulls approach to dealing nullth unspecinulld
materials put out by service users. A clear policy nullll ensure minimal confusion nullen
it comes to staff training and actually rolling out the scheme. null collection services
are to be contracted out, the authority should specify that the contracting nullm
provides a method statement on honullit nullll implement the service rules. nullere are a
number of approaches that can be adopted nullth regard to dealing nullth contamination
at the kerbside. nullese are outlined in more detail in section null, nullich covers
communication nullth residents.
nullnullnull Renullrting renullirements
nullcal authorities should stipulate that all contractors give details of contamination
levels in their regular reports, and that they make efforts to reduce contamination in
poornullerforming areas by giving direct feedback to service users.
An onboard computer system in each collection vehicle nulligure null is an increasingly
common and effective method for data recording. nullch systems, nullich frequently
include portable handnulleld devices, can report in real time households that have not
follonulled the authoritynulls service rules.
Figure null nullboard computer systems can be used to provide systematic and effective
monitoring and feedback
nulle reprocessor reported that nullirling Council nulls producing good quality materials
and that they achieve this partly through the use of onboard computer systems.
nulling this technology, the authority is effectively able to monitor and report on
incidents nullen households place nonnullarget items out for recycling.
A case study of nullirling Council is provided in nullable null.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Scheme
design
nullable null nullirling Council. An enullmple of good quality material arising from good
practice in kerbside communications and efnullient management of contamination
Stirling nulluncilnull A case study
nullrnullce descrinullion
nullcycling is collected via a multinulltream nulleekly bonullcollection along nullth a
separate food nullste collection. nullfuse and garden nullste are collected in nulleeled
bins on an alternate nulleekly cycle.
nullssons learned
nulle council nulls identinulld as producing good quality material and has been
collecting kerbside sorted plastic bottles since null0null nulle authority recently
introduced a separate food nullste collection service and as part of this undertook
an enullensive campaign to help residents understand nullich materials can and
cannot be recycled. nulle authority also provides clear online information about
its recycling services and enulllains its rationale for not collecting minulled plastic
packaging.
nulle authority operates a strict policy nullth regard to contamination: bonulles
containing any nonnullargeted items are rejected at the kerbside nullth a notice
indicating nullich materials cannot be accepted. nulle collection crenullrecord all
offences in real time using an onboard computer system, and on the second
offence households are issued nullth a nullitten letter. nullis letter tells the residents
about the recycling service and nullat materials can be put out for recycling.
All plastic bottles are taken to the authoritynulls depot nullere they are bulked and
baled before being sent on for reprocessing nullthin the null.
nullnullnull Communications through the recycling chain
null is important to establish onnulloing communications betnulleen the different levels
of the recycling chainnullin other nullords, to ensure that there are established means
of communication by nullich feedback from reprocessors can reach contractors, the
authority and householders.
nullfective scheme design is integral to optimal performance nulloth in terms of quantity
and qualitynull nully factors to consider nullen designing the kerbside infrastructure
include:
collection frequency nullor both residual and recyclingnull
container choice nullor both residual and recyclingnull
contamination policynulland
reporting requirements and communications nullth contractors and reprocessors.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Household
null HnullSnullHnullnullnull nullMMnullInullA nullInullS
nullo is this section fornull
Authorities nullthout a plastic bottle collection service nullections null1, nullnull and nullnullnull
Authorities nullth an established plastic bottle collection service
nullections null1 and nullnullnull
nullnullernullenull
nullfective communication is of central importance to any collection scheme. nullo
this end, section nullnull provides advice for communications relating to the rollnullut
of a nenullcollection scheme, nullile section nullnull enullmines the need for onnulloing
communications.
nullhaviour is a complenullissue, innullenced by social and economic factors as nullell as
a nullde variety of moral and cultural norms. null vienullof this, the nullld of behaviour
change has received much attention in recent years, nullth a substantial body of
nullork nonullcovering the nullld of nullste prevention and recycling. A comprehensive
communication programme is essential to ensure that the authority achieves both
high capture rates and good quality material.
nullnull nulley messages for effectinulle communications
Communications can be split into tnullo categories:
communications associated nullth the rollnullut of a nenullservice nullsection nullnullnull and
onnulloing communications to encourage participation and the correct use of the
services provided nullsection nullnullnull
nullth onnulloing communications and communications associated nullth the rollnullut of
a nenullservice are integral to achieving high capture rates and good quality material.
Communications aimed at promoting the effectiveness of plastic bottle collections
should bear the follonullng important points in mind:
avoid the use of the plastic polymer numbering system, as this is knonull to
confuse householdersnull
nullere plastic bottles are added to an enullsting kerbside dry recycling service,
inform all residents of the changes to the service and use this opportunity to
remind them of the other services on offernull
supply the householder nullth a leanullt, or a sticker for their collection container,
nullich clearly states enullctly nullat can, and cannot, be placed into each binnull
give crenullsufnullient training on honullto effectively and consistently implement an
authoritynulls policy on dealing nullth contaminationnull
implement a method for recording repeated misuses of the recycling services
and ensure that the recycling ofnuller follonullups on them nullth a letter or personal
visitnull
to overcome any language or literacy issues ensure that all leanullts and
communication media are as simple and pictorial as possiblenull
consider undertaking a doorstepping programme after the rollnullut of a nenull
scheme to ensure that hardnullonullngagenullonullperforming areas are suitably
targetednulland
ensure that the service nullebsite is kept up to date and that it mirrors the
information provided to the householder via printed media.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Household
nullcal authorities are referred to nullAPnulls nullebsite for further advice on the design
and production of communication programmes, information on the barriers to
recycling at home, and a number of useful case studies. nullproving nullcycling through
nullfective Communications nullll be of particular interest to those nullshing to create any
communications programme.
nullo communicate the plastic bottle message nullder nulle have created communications
material nullich has gone through rigorous consumer testing, including nullers, posters
and bus advertising. nullis can be found on our nullcycle nullnullpartners site.
nullottish local authorities nullll be sent a Cnullof the resources by nullnullebruary null1null
nullpport is available at partnerbranding
@
nullronullstescotland.org.uk or 0nullnull100 nullnull.
nullnull nullmmunications prior to sernullce roll-out
nullfore a nenullcollection service is introduced, it is essential that all households
are made anullre of the intended changes, nully they are being made, and nullat the
implications of these changes nullll be for them e.g. in sorting practices, range of
materials accepted and collection times. As mentioned above, nullAP has produced
a number of guides, cost estimates and case studies to help authorities in their
communication programmes.
nullnull nullypes of on-going communications
nullnullnull nullneral communications to all residents
Changing peoplenulls behaviour is often a longnullerm process that requires onnulloing
support nullth periodic reminders. nullis is especially true in neighbourhoods nullth a
high turnover of residents. nullnulloing communications are aimed at improving the
quantity and quality of captured materials by providing general reminders about
the services on offer. null is also important to give feedback on the performance of the
service and to thank residents for their efforts. All communication media should
be as simple and pictorial as possible to ensure that they are accessible to all. nullnull
communication programmes can be initiated nullen there are slight modinullations to
other areas of the enullsting service, for enullmple:
nullen a nenullmaterial is added to a servicenullor
nullen collection frequencies are altered.
nullese are times nullen residents can be reminded of the full range of recycling
services provided, including plastic bottle collections.
nullnullnull nullargeted communications at the nullint of collection
An ideal opportunity for onnulloing communications is at the point of collection and
this has been shonull to have a marked impact on improving the quality of material
placed out for collection. null collection crenull identify contamination at the kerbside,
and adopt a structured and consistent procedure for notifying the responsible
households, it is often possible, over time, to signinullantly reduce contamination
levels on any given round.
Crenull
At the point of collection, communication nullth the householder is undertaken
in the nullst instance by the crenull. nullould contamination be identinulld, a typical
feedback loop nullould begin nullth a crenullmember leaving a nullitten communication
that described the materials that are acceptable and those that are not. nullis
approach provides justinullation for not emptying a container or for leaving some
materials behind.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Household
nullitten feedback can be in the form of:
bin stickersnull
bin tagsnullandnullr
a feedback card through the letterbonull
Anecdotal evidence suggests that bin tags are more popular nullth residents, as they
are less permanent nullalthough they can only be used on containers nullth handles. null
is alnullys nullorthnullile posting a card through a residentnulls letterbonull in case the bin
tag or sticker is not seen by the householder responsible for recycling. nulle types of
information that can be included on a bin sticker are shonull in nullgure null
Figure null An enullmple of a bin sticker used in Coventry
Crenulltraining
All crenullmembers should be anullre of the local authoritynulls policy on dealing nullth
contamination and be trained in the best course of action. null a strict approach is
taken. null is essential that a consistent message is sent to residents. nullis requires
that all collection crenull are suitably trained and adopt a common approach. null the
authority uses onboard computer systems in its collection vehicles, staff nullll need to
be trained to use them.
Crenullrenullrting
Crenull should email a daily report nullr communicate in real time if this technology
is available nullsee the nullirling case study in nullable null after each round and highlight
any issues for the attention of the recycling ofnuller. null any issues arise during the
daynulls rounds, the recycling ofnuller should follonullthese up by, for enullmple, nulliting a
letter or even paying a personal visit nullhis may be especially effective for nullts nullere
it might be difnullult to identify the precise households concernednull null there are any
repeated issues nullth a particular household, then the managing ofnuller should be
alerted. null such cases, a recycling ofnuller should be sent to the household to discuss
the contamination issues.
null is important to ensure that the stickernullagnullorm is quick to complete nulla notice
nullich just requires a simple tick is the best solution. null is nullorth remembering that
any nulliting by a crenullmember nullll be done in a rush nullnd nullll take up the crenull
membernulls timenull so the message may not be clear to the householder.
nullen designing feedback forms, consultation nullth the crenull is important as they are
the ones most likely to knonullthe most common types of contamination.
www.coventry.gov.uk/recycling
Sorry
We have left materials we do not
collect for recycling. Please see overleaf
for a list of materials we can recycle.
www.coventry.gov.uk/recycling coventrydirect@coventry.gov.uk
Contact Coventry 0500 834333
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Household
nullnull nullse studies
nullree case studies nullere identinulld for their high performance in the recovery of
plastic bottles: nullttering nullrough Council, the nullyal nullrough of nullngston upon
nullames, and the nullndon nullrough of nulldbridge. null null0null10 each authority nulls
collecting betnulleen 1nullnulland 1null1 kg of plastic bottles per household, nullich places
them amongst the higher performers nationally. nulle details for each authority and
the key messages from each are outlined in nullable null
null each case the local authorities appear to have achieved high capture rates because
of their effective communication schemes, combined nullth a strict policy on rejecting
contamination at the kerbside. nullnullo enullmples of communication materials used
by nullttering nullrough Council and the nullyal nullrough of nullngston upon nullames
are reproduced in Appendinullnull. null should be noted, honullever, that these are not
presented as enullmples of best practice as such, but are reproduced here to help
illustrate some of the clear forms of communication used by the tnullo case studies.
As stated above, nullAP has provided substantive information on developing and
implementing communication programmes and these should be consulted for
further details, for enullmple the nullcycle nullnullpartners site.
nullable null nullree case study enullmples of authorities achieving high plastic bottle capture rates null<1nullg per household per yearnull
nullse Study onenull nullettering nullrough nulluncil
nullrvice description nully nullures nullssons learned
nullttering nullrough Council
nullfuse:
null0nullitre nulleeled bin, collected on
an alternate nulleekly cycle.
nullcycling nullerbside sortnull
nullnullo null litre bonulles:
{ one for papernulland
{ one for plastic bottles,
cans and glass.
null0nullitre nulleeled bin for garden
nullste and cardboard.
nulle service is delivered by an innullouse
organisation. Plastics are not accepted
at any bring sites in the borough.
nullttering nullrough Council collects
nullste and recycling for its null,000
inhabitants using a kerbside sort
system. nullerall recyclingnullomposting
performance nulls nullnullin null0null10
nullgainst an average in nullgland of
null.nullnull null that year it achieved an
impressive capture rate of nullnull kg of
plastic bottles per household. nullis
represents 10nullof the total dry recycling
by nulleight.
nulle council believes that tnullo elements nullork together to keep both capture rates and
quality high: 1. nullucation of the recycling crenulland the householdersnulland null nulle
system setnullp, including frequency of collection, type of containers used, and the use
of kerbside sorting. All recyclables are sorted at the kerbside, thus allonullng for the
easy identinullation and removal of contamination. nulle crenull responsible for recycling
have been instructed to use contamination stickers nullere nonnullottle plastics are
found in the bonull and in enullreme or recurrent cases to leave the bonullunemptied nullth a
sticker enulllaining the reason to the householder.
nulle communications to the householder make it clear that plastic bottles are the only
plastics acceptable. null the council nullebsite there is a nullhat nulles nullerenull section
nullth an accompanying leanullt. nullese list the items that must be placed in each
container. nulle council has just moved to a picturenullased leanullt. null is hoped that this
nullll make the message more accessible to householders nullose nullst language is not
nullglish. An enullmple of the authoritynulls pamphlet nullich outlines the local recycling
services can be seen in Appendinullnull.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Household
nullngston upon nullames
nullfuse:
1nullnullitre nulleeled bin for households
nullth up to nulle residents nullnull0 litre
for households greater than nulle
nullats receive a null0 to null0 litre
nulleelie or bulk binnullnullcollected
fortnightly.
nullcycling nullerbside sort schemenull
nulle null litre bonullfor plastic bottles,
paper, glass bottlesnullars, cansnull
tins, tenulliles and shoes, food and
drink cartons, batteries nullcollected
nulleekly.
Cardboard stored in nullite bag and
collected nulleekly.
nullood nullste is collected nulleekly
from a null litre caddy nullesidents are
provided nullth a nulllitre caddy for
indoor usenull
null0 litre nulleeled bin for garden nullste
nullharged servicenullnullcollected fortnightly.
nulle majority of households in nullngston
upon nullames are serviced by a kerbside
sort scheme nullnull000null nullile a smaller
number have their dry recyclables
collected conullingled null,000null nullerall,
recyclingnullomposting performance nulls
null.1null in null0null10 nullgainst an average in
nullgland and nullndon of null.null and null.null
respectivelynull null null0null10 a total of nullnull
tonnes of plastic bottles nullere collected
via the kerbside sort collection service,
nullich amounted to an impressive nullnullnull
kg per household over the year.
nulle authority rolled out a nenullservice in null0nulland at nullst enullerienced a fenullissues
nullth contamination. null ever, this nulls soon remedied by an effective communications
programme. nulle authority has a strict approach to contamination and rejects any
contamination at the kerbside nullth a contamination sticker. An enullmple of the
authoritynulls online communication sheet is shonull in Appendinullnull.
nullse Study null nullo
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Household
nullndon nullrough of nulldbridge
nullrnullce nullscrinullion
nullfuse:
nullsidual nullste collected in sacks on
a nulleekly basis.
nullcycling nullnullonulltreamnull
nullnullo nulll bonulles collected nulleekly:
nullst for tinsnullans, glass bottlesnull
jars, and plastic bottles nullo other
plasticsnull and
second for paper and card.
Collections completed by contractor:
nullterprise.
null null0null10 and null10null1, using a tnullonull
stream collection scheme, the authority
collected 1,nullnulland 1,nullnulltonnes of
plastic bottles, respectively. null null0null10
plastic bottles constituted 1null of the
kerbside dry recycling, or 1null0nullkg per
household over the year nullssuming
collection from null,nullnullhouseholds
nullcollections increased from null,null1
households in the nullst quarter to null,1null
households in the fourthnull null null0null10 the
authority achieved an overall recycling
rate of null.null nullverage for nullndon nulls
null.nullnull up from just null in null00null.
nulle council started collecting plastics at the kerbside in null0null nullitially, this service
nulls provided on a fortnightly basis and in null0nullnulleekly collections commenced. nullen
introducing a second bonullfor the collection of card nullhe authority started out nullth one
recycling bonull the council undertook a comprehensive communication campaign,
consisting of leanullts and an enullensive doorstepping campaign. nulle authority is nonull
using nullcycle nullnulliconography, a borough maganullne, and occasional doorstepping
campaigns to promote recycling nullthin the area. null does not accept contaminated
bonulles and leaves a note highlighting unacceptable levels of contamination nullen it
occurs. nullis leads to a reported contamination level of just null at the sorting phase.
nullse Study nullhree
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Household
nullable nullhighlights a number of other quality issues that are of concern to
reprocessors and should be borne in mind nullen devising communication schemes
on plastic bottles. nullme are more relevant than others, and the ease nullth nullich they
can be tackled may also vary nulldely, depending on local conditions and openness to
change.
null should be borne in mind that local authorities may not be best placed to resolve the
issues highlighted, but they might be useful nullen considering messages to service
users.
A reprocessornulls perspectinulle
nullilst there is not a consistent vienullon nullat local authorities should be doing
nullth regard to household communications, there are some emerging themes
that several reprocessors have enullressed:
authorities should send out a clear message that all plastic bottles
nullegardless of polymernullcan be recyclednulland
bottle tops are not a problem.
nullable null nullality issues raised by reprocessors
Reprocessor nullality issue Action
nullevated levels of nonnullarget plastic items null.e. items other
than plastic bottlesnull
nullake actions to improve nullnullmanagement or feedback to householders receiving multinulltream services.
nulle presence of PnullC bottles nullis is largely a problem for the packaging industry to be anullre of. nullilst the presence of PnullC bottles is
an issue, it is still felt that a clear message to householders that all bottles nullegardless of polymernullcan be
recycled is the most appropriate action for the local authority.
nulllk bottles containing milk contaminants, leading to nulles,
maggots and higher nullshing costs
nullcal authorities could make service users anullre of the problem through onnulloing communications.
nullft drink bottles surviving nullth contents, nullich are nullally
released in Pnull processes, causing higher machinery
maintenance costs nullarbonic acid is a strong corrosivenull
nullcal authorities could make service users anullre of the problem.
nulle presence of natural nullPnulldetergent bottles nullis is largely a problem for the packaging industry to be anullre of. nullilst the presence of natural nullPnull
detergent bottles is an issue, it is still felt that a clear message to householders that all bottles nullegardless of
polymernullcan be recycled is the most appropriate action for the local authority.
nullevated levels of dirt and grease nullis can be addressed through improved nullnullmanagement and onnulloing communications nullth households.
PnullC labels on Pnull bottles nullis is largely a problem for the packaging industry to be anullre of.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Household
nulley messages for local authorities
Communications fall into tnullo categories:
those associated nullth the rollnullut of a nenullservicenulland
onnulloing communications to encourage participation and the proper use of the
services provided.
nullth are integral to achieving high capture rates and good quality material. nulle
above discussion on communications and the three case studies give rise to several
key points. nullcal authorities should:
inform all residents of changes to their servicenull
supply the householder nullth clear details of nullat can, and cannot, be placed in
each containernull
ensure that all crenullmembers understand the authoritynulls policy on dealing nullth
contaminationnull
devise a method for recording repeated misuses of the recycling servicesnull
ensure that all leanullts and communication media are as simple and pictorial as
possiblenull
avoid the use of the plastic polymer numbering system, as it is knonull to
confuse householdersnull
consider undertaking a doorstepping programme after the rollnullut of a nenull
scheme to ensure that hardnulltonulleachnulloornullerforming areas are suitably
targetednulland
ensure that their nullebsite is kept up to date and that it mirrors the information
provided to the householder via the leanullt.
null developing communication media and programmes, refer to nullAPnulls
comprehensive resources for further assistance.
1null
1null nullaste nullnullsources Action Programme null011nullCommunications:
nullsources to nulllp you nullprove nullgh nullality, nullfective and nullnullient Communications, nullcycle nullnull
partners nullebsite.
1null
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Point of
collection
null PnullInull nullF nullnullnull null nullInull
nullnullernullenull
nulle point of collection provides a critical nullindonullof opportunitynullfor identifying
and controlling contamination. nullerall material quality can be improved by
rejecting contamination at the kerbside, nullile at the same time educating
households nullssuming crenull use appropriate reporting strategies nullsee section
nullnullnullabovenull
Anecdotal evidence suggests that over time a strict policy on contamination
improves the quality of material set out and helps save crenullnulltime at the
kerbside. nullis section highlights some important actions that can be undertaken
at the kerbside to improve the quality of material collected.
nulle type of actions nullich can be taken, and the ease nullth nullich they can be
carried out, depend largely on an authoritynulls chosen form of containment and
the design of the collection system. null, after reading the follonullng sections and
referring to nullAPnulls online benchmarking tool,
1null
an authority nullshes to alter its
scheme design in any nully, then it nullll be nullse to refer back to section null0.
nulltlined belonullare a number of key points nullich can be considered at the point of
collection nullor should be borne in mind by those nullo have not already rolled out a
collection service for plastic bottles.
1null nullAP null011nullnully nullcycling Performance nullnchmarks
nullnull Honull the containment type and collection
system innullences nullality
nulle key innullencing factor at the kerbside is the crenullnullability to regulate the
collection system. nulle enullent to nullich a crenullcan do this depends on a combination
of both the containment used and the collection methodology. nulle follonullng
subnullections cover a range of containment typesnullollection schemes and aim
to demonstrate honullthese innullence the crenullnullability to innullence householder
behaviour.
nullnullnull Multi-stream or kerbside sort collection
Plastic bottles collected in boxes nullich are fully sorted at the kerbside
nulle materials set out for collection in a bonullare clearly visible as they are being
sorted into material types at the kerbside. Any unspecinulld materials can be left
behind in the bonullby the collection crenull. nullere is a clear incentive for the crenullto do
this, as leaving materials can reduce the sorting time and help to manullmise vehicle
capacity, thereby potentially making their round quicker. nullaving the contaminating
materials in the bonullalso provides a direct feedback loop to the householder, nullich
should impact upon behaviour for future collections.
1null
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Point of
collection
nullnullnull nullnullo-stream collection
Plastic bottles collected in boxes nullich are nullrtially sorted at the kerbsidenulllastic
bottles collected in boxes before being tinulled into a slanulle nulleeled bin
nullme bonullcollection schemes specify the materials that should be placed in each
container. nullder such circumstances, one bonullmay be reserved solely for plastic
bottles and cans. nullch conullingled cans and bottles might then be tipped into a
specinull compartment nullr slave binnullnullile the remainder nullould be manually sorted.
nullile it may be possible to remove contaminants before tipping this bonullof plastic
bottles and cans, this is likely to be less thorough. Crenulltraining can encourage
this good practice but it nullll still add time to the collection process and is likely to
discourage thorough quality control.
Plastic bottles collected in a single-use sack
nullnglenullse sacks offer another possible solution. nullese can be put out separately or
as part of a conullingled recycling stream. nullnullever, operational enullerience suggests
that time constraints limit a crenulls desire to prevent contamination from entering
the recycling stream. nulleratives tend to reject only those bags that are abnormally
heavy, or contain easily identinullble contaminants.
nulle possible nully fornullrd is the use of transparent sacks that allonullthe identinullation
of contaminants nullthin the bag. nullnullever, the subsequent solutions can create
their onull problems. Crenullmembers could tear open such bags to remove the
contamination, but this is a slonullprocess that may create litter. A second solution is
to reject the nullole sack but this may send a negative message to the householder,
nullo may resort to putting recyclables in the nullste bin.
nullnullnull Co-mingled collection
Plastic bottles collected in a nulleeled bin
A fully conullingled binnullased system presents difnullulties in identifying any
contaminating materials as it is difnullult to ascertain nullat is in the bin prior
to emptying. nulle bin lid can be lifted to ensure there are no easily visible
contaminants, but this does not preclude the possibility of hidden contamination.
nullurthermore, nullile bin nulleight can indicate severe levels of misuse null.g. rubble
disposalnull the majority of contaminants may not be easily identinulld in this manner.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Point of
collection
nullnull nullenull training
nulle containment type and collection system largely determine the enullent to nullich
collection crenull can identify and reduce the collection of contaminating materials.
null ever, there is a need to train and retrain crenull to help ensure that the authoritynulls
service rules are being follonulled. nullis is particularly important under systems nullere
there is no direct incentive for crenull to do this. null these systems such additional
checking as lifting the lids of nulleeled bins and sorting through materials represents
additional time and effort for the crenull. nullch additional effort nullould not typically
be undertaken unless training is effective and correct nullorking practices strictly
enforced.
null is important nullen training crenull to emphasise the reasons nully it is so important
to manullmise material quality. nullis should focus on practical, local issues such as
improving councilnullontractor material revenues or reducing gate fees, alongside
environmental arguments.
nulle relevant message that crenull should receive as part of their training is that
investing their time in nullducating the publicnull through the provision of accurate and
consistent feedback, is likely to be timenullaving in the long run as public behaviour
nullll improve over time. nullis of course is not alnullys the case, particularly in areas of
high resident turnover.
nulley messages for local authorities
nulle point of collection provides important opportunities for managing the quality
of captured materials. nulle level of innullence that a nullellnullrained crenullcan have
at the kerbside is considerably greater for a multinulltream system than a singlenull
stream system.
nullnull nullmpaction
Compaction setting on the nullnullcan innullence the ability to sort materials efnulliently
at the nullnull. nullgh levels of compaction are more likely to enullcerbate issues of bottle
bale contamination, as nullell as increasing the amount of time taken for the nullnullto
sort material to a given quality standard. nullnullever, reducing compaction settings
can also reduce payloads, so a good balance should be struck betnulleen payload
and sorting issues. nullrom the local authoritynulls perspective, this may manifest itself
through a higher nullnullgate fee.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Post-
collection
sorting
null PnullSnull-nullnullnull null nullInull SnullRnullInullG Anull nullnullnullG
nullnullernullenull
nullis section is relevant for authorities nullshing to design a nenullmultinulltream or
kerbside sort scheme and for authorities that already operate one. null systems
nullere plastic bottles are collected via a multinulltream service, a postnullollection
sorting process prior to any baling can be benenullial. nullis may be a very simple
system such as a manual sorting line from nullich nonnullottle plastics, and
other contaminants, are removed. nullch practices can play an important role in
improving materials quality and increasing the value of products passed on to
reprocessors, in turn increasing income for the authority.
As a means of improving material quality for systems nullere plastic bottles are
collected via a kerbside sort or multinulltream collection, a postnullollection sorting
process prior to any baling can be benenullial. nullis may be a very simple system
such as a manual sorting line from nullich nonnullottle plastics, cans nullere they are
collected in the same minull and other contaminants are removed.
nullring intervienull, reprocessors stated that they greatly prefer densely packed and
securely bound bales. nullor authorities that deliver materials direct to reprocessors,
it may be nullorth investing in bottle piercing and baling equipment. nulle reprocessor
identinulld Angus Council as providing good quality baled plastic bottles and, as the
case study belonullsuggests, this has been enhanced through the use of a bottle
piercing machine to aid compaction at the authoritynulls depot nullable null.
Postnullollection sorting also provides an opportunity to undertake output quality
sampling of the collection rounds. nullmpling can also be used to identify the
contamination levels of different rounds, nullich can be used constructively to
highlight areas in need of greater communications. nullch immediate feedback can be
enullremely valuable and can also allonullfor longnullerm monitoring of trends.
nullable null Angus Council nullan enullmple of compaction at the depot
Angus nulluncilnull A case study
nullrnullce descrinullion
nullcycling is collected via a multinulltream nulleekly bonullcollection. nullfuse and garden
nullste are collected in nulleeled bins on an alternate nulleekly cycle.
nullssons learned
nulle council nulls identinulld by a reprocessor as producing good quality material
and has been collecting plastic bottles at the kerbside since null0nullnullollections of
these items started in null00 at each of the authoritynulls seven nullnullsnull nulle council
has invested in a bottle piercing machine at its depot to help improve compaction
before materials are compressed and baled before being transported to their
designated plastics reprocessor. nulle bottle piercing machine is effectively a rolling
spiked drum that pierces bottles fed into the machine. nulle authority built the
machine for appronullmately nullnull000.
According to the authority, the lonulllevel of contamination means that the high
compaction rates are not a problem for their reprocessor and this saves transport
costs. nulle authority reports that the kerbside sort system and an effective
communications campaign helps ensure minimal levels of contamination. As a
result, the authority does not undertake any postnullollection sorting at its depot.
nullo ensure contamination is kept to a minimum, the councilnulls collection staff
are instructed to reject nonnullarget items at the kerbside. nully recyclables are
sorted into the collection vehicle and this gives staff ample opportunity to identify
misplaced items. nullese items are left behind nullth a note enulllaining nully the
materials nullere rejected.
nulle authority has run a number of communication programmes in the past,
notably during the implementation of service changes. null addition, Angus Council
has a number of avenues nullereby it provides information on its recycling services.
nullese include: the authoritynulls nullebsite, local authority nenull, pamphlets, and
posters at each of its nullnulls.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Material
Recycling
Facilities
null MA nullRIAnull Rnullnullnull nullnullRnullFAnullnullnullInullS nullRFSnull
nullnullernullenull
nullis section is relevant for authorities nullshing to design a nenullscheme that nullll
require sorting of dry recyclables at a nullnull. null is also of relevance to authorities
that already use a nullnullto separate out their plastic bottles from their dry
recycling. nulle aim is to highlight the nullys in nullich quality can be improved
through improved nullnullmanagement.
null order to manullmise the quality of bottles being sent to reprocessors, it is important
that local authorities consider the follonullng nullen contracting nullth a nullnull
honullthe nullnulloperatesnull
nullat the value of the potential output streams from the nullnullarenulland
nullich markets does the nullnulldeliver tonull
nullcal authorities can innullence the behaviour of nullnulloperators by using contractual
incentives and obligations betnulleen the authority and the nullnull. nullese can incorporate
strict requirementsnullnd or provision of incentives for nullnulloperators to manullmise the
quality of outgoing materials.
nullnulloperators can innullence quality of material via:
load inspection and feedback to local authorities, nullich makes identinullation of
lonullperforming areas possiblenull
random samplingnull
improved sorting into different plastic polymers:
baling minulled bottles is usually the most costnullffective method for smaller
nullnull nullor
as volumes gronull it can be nullancially preferable to sort out the main polymer
types nullthat is, Pnull null.g. soft drinksnulland nullPnullnull.g. milk bottlesnull and also by
colour null.g. naturalnullanullnull
improved baling:
tightly bound bales usually offer the best value and are preferred by
reprocessorsnulland
loosely packed bales achieve less value and may even be rejected by
reprocessors. nullrge horinullntal balers can be used to produce tight bales
nullptimising machine settings for plastic bottles can increase shipment
nulleights by as much as nullnull.
An innovative response to monitoring contamination at the front end of a nullnullhas
been undertaken by Project nulltegra, nullich in null0nullopened a material analysis facility
nullAnull at nulleolianulls Alton nullnullin nullmpshire. nulle results of the contamination analyses
are used to calculate returns on the sale of recyclables and to adjust nullastenulltanullonull
entries. A case study of Project nulltegranulls nullnullis shonull in nullable null
A reprocessornulls perspectinulle
nullere is no consistent vienullon nullat local authorities should be doing.
null ever, a number of reprocessors suggested that the supply chain could be
improved by:
Carefully procuring collection and nullnullservicesnull
Considering nullether there is sufnullient sorting capacitynull
Auditing nullat collection contractors and nullnulloperators do nullth the
materials that are collectednulland
Checking that if local authority plastic bottles are enullorted the shipments
comply nullth the rules relating to the enullort of nullstes.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Material
Recycling
Facilities
nullable null Project nulltegra. An enullmple of good practice in contamination monitoring
and control
Pronullct Integranulls Material Analysis Facilitynull A case study
nullckground
Project nulltegra is a partnership betnulleen all of the district authorities in
nullmpshire, nullmpshire County Council, the unitary authorities of Portsmouth and
nulluthampton, and nulleolia nullvironmental nullrvices. All null0,000 households served
by Project nulltegra can access a conullingled service for paper, card, aluminium
and steel cans, aerosols and plastic bottles. null order to manullmise income and
improve the environmental benenulls gained from the regionnulls recycling services,
Project nulltegra has taken active steps to reduce contamination. nully to this nulls the
development of a material analysis facility nullAnull in the spring of null0null nullis facility,
operated by nulleolia nullvironmental nullrvices, is attached to Alton nullnull one of tnullo
nullnull operated by the partnership in nullmpshire nullogether the tnullo nullnull process
1null,000 tonnes of dry recyclables a yearnull nulle nullnullnulls designed to fulnull three
main tasks:
analysis of incoming conullingled dry recyclables nullto allonullassessment of
incoming material quality in relation to the input specinullation of the facility,
apportionment of contamination across the partners and the identinullation of
lonullperforming areasnull
analysis of other streams nullfor enullmple, the analysis of residual nullste
nullllonullng capture rates to be estimatednull and the analysis of the reject stream
from the tnullo nullnull nullhich supported the development of a business case
for adding magnetic and eddy current separation to this conveyor in order to
separate smaller metal itemsnull and
analysis of outgoing sorted materials nullto ensure that quality standards of
outgoing products are maintained and sales values optimised.
Alton nullnullnulls opened in null0nulland the nullnullnulls commissioned soon after.
nullitially contamination declined nullrom nullnullnullin null0null0nullto nullnullnullin null0nullnull, but
then increased slonully year on year until reaching nullnullnullin null10null1 nullee bar chart
belonull. null is nullorth noting, honullever, that the increase in null10null1 is most likely
due, at least in part, to a change in the sampling procedure used to measure
contamination levels. As described belonull the sampling methodology nulls
modinulld in null10null1 to enable greater nullnullbility and to ensure that more detail
could be captured.
null0nullnull
null
null
null
null
null
null
null
null
1
0
nullv
el of c
ont
amination nullnull
null0nullnull null0nullnull null0null10 null010null1
10
nullnull
nullnull
nullnull
nullnull
nullnull
nullear
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Material
Recycling
Facilities
nulle nullnulls success has been recognised nullth many anullrds and acknonulledged
by the nullvironment Agency as an enullmple of best practice in nullgland. nulle
strong commitment to maintaining the quality of incoming and outgoing products
has helped Project nulltegra to form good relationships nullth reprocessors, nullo
appreciate the consistent high quality materials provided by the tnullo nullmpshire
nullnull.
Methodology
As of null10null1 analysis of contamination takes place three times each year, nullth
each event lasting seven nulleeks nullt had previously been tnullo ninenulleek slotsnull nuller
these null nulleeks, nullich are enullclusively dedicated to analysing contamination, the
nullnullcollects sinullsamples on a daily basis and manually sorts them into three main
categories nullach sample comprises tnullo representative subnullamplesnull
nullcyclables nullnullnullaccepted recyclablesnull
Contraries nullrecyclables nullich are not accepted at the nullnull and
nullsidues nullnonnullecyclable materials.
As of null10 the recyclables category nulls further subdivided to provide more
detailed compositional breakdonulls. nullch year the nullnullaims to collect samples
from at least nullnullof the rounds run by each of the nullste collection authorities.
nullis enables lonullperforming areas to be identinulld by each authority and
facilitates the accurate apportionment of nullancial resources.
nulle follonullng infrastructure has been put in place for the analysis of the samples:
a hopper nullth tnullo automated conveyor beltsnull
a cabin nullth nine sorting chutesnull
electronic scalesnull
sampling cratesnull
tnullo collection vehiclesnulland
a forklift.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Costs and funding
nulle nullnulltook appronullmately tnullo months to construct, nullth an additional month
required to test and streamline operations. null cost appronullmately null00,000 to
develop, including the purchase of the forklift truck, scales and sampling crates.
nulle facility employs nulle fullnullime staff, including a manager, a supervisor, a
collection driver and tnullo sorters nullo segregate the samples. nulle nullnulloperates
nulle days a nulleek, nullth nulleolia nullvironmental nullrvices running an enullra shift to
analyse the composition of outgoing materials.
At present the operational costs of the facility are split evenly betnulleen the
follonullng three stakeholders:
1null nulleolia nullvironmental nullrvicesnull
1null nullste disposal authorities nullplit according to populationnull and
1null nullste collection authorities nullontribution split evenly betnulleen 1null
authoritiesnull
Communications
null order to promote the collection of plastic bottles, consistent communications
nullere provided across Project nulltegranulls nullste collection authorities. A nullde
selection of media and approaches nullere used, including: leanullts, bin stickers,
bin tags, fridge magnets, bus and nullnulladvertising, posters in supermarkets,
and advertisements at bus shelters and in council maganullnes. null these
communications the description nullottle shaped and plasticnullhas been used and
attention has also been dranull to plastic bottles arising in all areas of the house null
not just the kitchen.
nulley messages for local authorities
Project nulltegra has successfully demonstrated an innovative approach to
cooperation betnulleen local authorities and their nullnullcontractor. nullere
such arrangements are envisaged at the procurement stage, it is relatively
straightfornullrd to introduce contractual requirements regarding quality
management and control.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Glossary
Plastic nullmsnull these are typically manually sorted and include a variety of plastic
polymers, most commonly lonulldensity polyethylene nullnullnullnullmaterials include
plastic bags and plastic nullappings used for food and other household goods.
Plastic Reconullery Facility nullRFnull a facility set up specinullally to sort plastics by
polymer type andnullr colour. nullme of the processes commonly featuring in a Pnull
may also occur at the front end of a reprocessor site and some Pnull operators
have themselves invested in donullstream reprocessing to make highnullrade
nullished recycled polymers.
PPnull polypropylene nullPnullis a plastic polymer that is used in a number of household
items null.g. food containers and plastic cutlerynullrockerynull
PSnull polystyrene nullnull is a plastic polymer nullich is used in a number of household
items null.g. plastic cutlerynullrockery and childrennulls toysnull
Pnullnull Polyvinyl chloride nullnullCnullis a biologically and chemically resistant plastic
that is typically used to produce nonnullood bottles, larger household items null.g.
childrennulls toys and plastic furniturenulland construction materials null.g. senuller
pipes, doornullindonullframes, coatings for electric nullres, plastic tiles, etc.null
Rnullnull refuse collection vehicle
rHnullPnullnull recycled highnullensity polyethylene nullnullPnull refers to postnullonsumer
nullPnullmaterials nullich have been reprocessed null.g. cleaned and nullkednullfor
inclusion in nenullproducts.
rPnull recycled polyethylene terephthalate nullPnullnullrefers to postnullonsumer Pnull
materials nullich have been reprocessed null.g. cleaned and nullkednullfor inclusion in
nenullproducts.
Rigid household plastic packagingnull this stream contains a minullure of plastic
polymers used in general household packaging null.g. margarine tubs, yogurt pots
and food traysnulland plastic bottles.
Single-stream co-minglednull involves the collection of materials in a single
compartment vehicle nullth the sorting of these materials carried out at a nullnull
nullaterials recovery facilitynull
nullnullo-stream co-minglednull residents are provided nullth tnullo recycling containers
and are asked to place different materials in each container, typically papernull
card nullbrenullin one and plastics, glass and cans nullontainersnullin the other. nullese
materials are kept separate, but are generally collected on one vehicle nullich has
tnullo chambers.
GnullnullSSARnull
nullear Pnull bottlesnull mostly derived from beverage containers, such as soft drinks
and mineral nullter.
nullloured HnullPnullbottlesnull typically used to make shampoo and laundry detergent
bottles.
nullloured Pnull bottles: mostly derived from beverage containers and other
household food and cosmetic products.
Hnullnull household nullste recycling centre
Material Reconullery Facility nullRFnull a separation plant nullere kerbside recyclables
are separated into material types and baled or loaded in bulk for further
processing by specialist recyclers. nullese materials typically include paper, card,
metals, minulled plastic bottles and sometimes glass. nullme nullnull also separate
one or more of the more abundant and higher value plastic bottle streams,
typically Pnull or nullPnull nullcreasingly, nullnull concentrate on separating minulled
plastic bottles for further separation by a specialist Plastics nullcovery nullacility
nullnullnull
Multi-streamnull or kerbside sortnull involves the sorting of materials at kerbside into
different compartments of a specialist collection vehicle.
nullatural HnullPnullbottlesnull mostly used for the packaging of fresh milk.
nullear-Infrared nullnullIRnull sortingnull an optical sorting technology used nulldely in plastic
recycling to enable plastic packaging and other plastic nullstes to be separated
by polymer type and colour. nullis enables the production of high quality materials
nullich can substitute for virgin polymers in the manufacture of nenullitems.
nullon-bottle rigid plastic packagingnull nonnullottle rigid plastic packaging typically
comprises plastic pots, tubs and trays. nullis material category specinullally
enullcludes plastic bottles, construction plastics, foamed plastics, nullnullble plastic
nullms and bulky household plastic items such as nullshing up bonulls and toys.
Pnullnull polyethylene nullnull is a plastic polymer that is used in a number of packaging
items null.g. food packaging, nullm and bagsnull
Plastic bottlesnull household plastic bottles.
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Appendices
APPnullnullInullAnull PnullSnullInull nullnullnull nullGRAnullS
nullynullcal grades of nullastic bottles nullst-PRFnullRF
Plastics polymers nullredominantly nullPnulland Pnullnullare typically sorted using
automated and manual sorting techniques. nullnual sorting of the different plastic
polymers is reported to be most prevalent in the null, nullth optical sorting used in
nullnull nullth large throughputs null.e. nullere the cost of installation can be justinulldnull
1null
nullere is no one complete list of products produced by Pnulls and nullnull. nullnull
in particular vary considerably in the type and combination of products that are
produced. nullnullever, typical postnullnullnullnull plastic grades are as follonull nullnd
illustrated in nullgure 10null
nullear Pnull bottles nullmostly derived from beverage containers, such as soft
drinks and mineral nullter. nulleir commercial value means that they are frequently
separated out. After sorting the nullal baled products frequently contain betnulleen
nullnull and nullnull nonnullarget items.
1null
nullloured Pnull bottles nullmostly derived from beverage containers and other
household food and cosmetic productsnullnullal baled products frequently contain
betnulleen nullnull and 10.null nonnullarget items.
nullloured HnullPnullbottles nulltypically used to make shampoo and laundry detergent
bottles. nullnal baled products frequently contain betnulleen nullnull and 11.null nonnull
target items.
nullatural HnullPnullbottles nullmostly used for the storage of fresh milk. nulleir value in
combination nullth efnullient sorting ensures lonulllevels of contamination in the nullal
baled product nulledian lies betnulleen 1.null and null0nullof nonnullarget itemsnull
1null nullaste nullnullsources Action Programme nullo date givennullnullcovering nullalue from nullnull,
null. nullgures on contamination presented here and immediately belonullcome from median nullures
presented in: nullnullnullnullnull00null nullnullnullality Assessment nulludy, nullport for the nullaste nullnullsources
Action Programme, nullvember null0null
nullon-bottle rigid plastic packaging nulltypically comprises plastic pots, tubs and
trays. nullis material category specinullally enullcludes plastic bottles, construction
plastics, foamed plastics, nullnullble plastic nullms and bulky household items such
as nullshing up bonulls and toys.
Plastic nullms nullthese are typically manually sorted and include a variety of plastic
polymers, the most common being lonulldensity polyethylene nullnullnull. nullher
materials include bags and nullappings used for food and other household goods.
A null
null null
Figure null nullamples of different commonly used plastic polymers and their products.
A. Clear Pnull used for mineral nullternullnull Coloured Pnull used for common household
productsnullC. nullPnullnatural used for milk containersnulland null minulled plastic packaging
consisting of various plastic polymers
null
1null
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
Appendices
null nullnull it is not uncommon for this list to be reduced to a small number of product
streams such as, rigid household plastic packaging and plastic nullms. null some nullnull,
further sorting occurs to enullract the more valuable streams such as Clear Pnull and
nulltural nullPnull leaving behind a minulled plastic packaging stream nullith a lonullcontent
of valuable itemsnulland plastic nullms. nulle larger nullnull commonly produce the full
range of materials listed abovenulla fenullenullmples of the baled products are shonull
nullgure 11.
Figure null nullamples of different nullnulloutputs. A. nullPnullnullturalnullnull Clear PnullnullC.
rigid household plastic packagingnulland null plastic nullm
1null
null. nullgures taken from: nullnte nulle nulllid nullaste nullnagement Agency null00null Plastics nullcycling nullfo, date
accessed: null nulltober null11 and nullnullek nulld null00null Commercial nullale nullnulled Plastic nullcycling, nullport
for the nullaste nullnullsources Action Programme, nullne null0null
A null
null null
null
Guide
page null
Introduction Structure of
this guide
Policy
context
Market
context
Plastic
bottle
collection
Scheme
design
Household Point of
collection
Post-
collection
sorting
Material
Recycling
Facilities
Glossary Appendices
nullntents
WRAP: Kerbside Collection of Plastic Bottles Guide – January 2012
APPnullnullInullnull nullAMPnullnull nullMMnullInullA nullInullS
Examnulles of household communications
nullamples of communications used by tnullo case study authorities are provided in
nullgure 1nulland nullgure 1null
Figure null nullample of communication leanullt provided by nullttering nullrough Council
Figure null nullample of online refuse and recycling details provided by the nullyal
nullrough of nullngston upon nullames
SourcenullRoyal nullrough of nullngston upon nullames nullnullnull nullto nullof Recycling in nullngsto
Sourcenullnullttering nullrough Council, nullat nulles nullerenullnullformation on what should go in each bin.
page null
nullntents
nullile steps have been taken to ensure its accuracy, nullAP cannot accept responsibility or be held liable to any person for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection
nullth this information being inaccurate, incomplete or misleading. nullis material is copyrighted. null may be reproduced free of charge subject to the material being accurate and
not used in a misleading contenull. nulle source of the material must be identinulld and the copyright status acknonulledged. nullis material must not be used to endorse or used to
suggest nullAPnulls endorsement of a commercial product or service. nullor more details, please refer to our nullerms nullConditions on our nullebsite nullnullnull.nullap.org.uk
nullaste null Resources
Action Programme
nulllpline freephone
0nullnull100 nullnull
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