Analysis by Local Government Association (LGA) suggests that only a third of plastic used by households in the UK is recyclable, as it urges manufacturers to prevent materials entering the environment which hampers recycling efforts.
Image: LGA says two-thirds of plastic in packaging pots and trays is unrecyclable. Photo: courtesy of Local Government Association.
The LGA claims that 525,000 tons of plastic pots, tubs and trays are used by households every year but only 169,145 tons of this waste is capable of being recycled.
It blamed manufactures for using a combination of polymers, of which some are low grade and non-recyclable.
The LGA said councils are doing all they can to tackle the problem, and blamed manufacturers for producing a smorgasbord of different plastics to pack key foods.
99% of councils collect plastic bottles for recycling and 77% collect pots, tubs and trays, but the inclusion of challenging polymers in packaging is making it extremely hard for councils, it says.
LGA Environment spokesperson Judith Blake said the association has been urging unrecyclable material manufacturers to develop a plan to stop it from entering the environment for years.
Blake said: “That needs to happen urgently, but the Government should now consider banning low-grade plastics, particularly those for single use, in order to increase recycling.”
Cardboard, paper or a recyclable version of pots were cited by the LGA as alternatives to the polymers packaging.
The association said that if margarine tubs were made out of the same material as plastic water bottles, they would be recyclable.
Blake noted that if manufacturers don’t want to get serious about producing material which can be recycled and protecting the environment, then they should at least contribute towards the cost that local taxpayers have to pay to clear it up.
“We need an industry-wide, collaborative approach where together we can reduce the amount of material having an impact on the environment. But if industry won’t help us get there, then the Government should step in to help councils ensure we can preserve our environment for generations to come,” Blake said.
Last month, Blake responded to the National Audit Office’s report on Packaging Recycling Obligations, by saying that the report highlighted the issues councils face when it comes to cracking down on packaging using unrecyclable materials.