Study launched into collecting flexible packaging materials

This packaging often contains valuable aluminium and various recyclable plastics, which can be difficult to collect and separate for recycling.

The study will explore ways to increase the amount of flexible packaging, such as toothpaste tubes and pet food sachets, that is collected and recycled in England, and assess the feasibility of a range of collection and communication approaches for households and commercial premises within different regions of the country.

LRS Consultancy in partnership with Enval, SITA UK, Nestle UK & Ireland, Coca-Cola Enterprises and Tesco have received funding to scope out viable approaches for collecting flexible packaging materials.

According to a report on Resource Efficient Business it is estimated that more than 160,000 tonnes of flexible laminate packaging containing aluminium enters the UK marketplace each year.

LRS Consultancy managing director Dee Moloney said: “Brands are increasingly using flexible laminate packaging to help preserve their products for longer, reduce the amount of material used in the manufacturing process and ‘lightweight’ their packaging. However, sometimes such initiatives result in unintended challenges for the resource management industry to manage and process these mixed-material products post use.”

Michael Bennett of specialist packaging PR and communications consultancy Pelican said: “Flexible packaging has such a low recycling rate it’s timely that stakeholders are making moves to improve recycling. However, the material has a long way to go until it reaches the recycling rate achieve by materials like steel.”

Pelican Communications are specialists in the environmentfood and drinkoutdoor and leisure and packaging sectors and offer a range of services such as media relations, brand management, event management and people developmentContact us for marketing and communications expertise.

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