Packs and Closures

Packaging performance "must not be compromised" by the drive to find markets for recycled materials, according to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap).

Speaking at a conference on mixed plastics recycling (MPR) on Tuesday, plastics technology manager Paul Davidson said packaging had to both preserve the goods it contained as well as perform environmentally.

Wrap is currently studying the viability of MPR, compared with alternative methods, such as incineration or landfill.

Although the UK is currently in compliance with the packaging directive for commercial and industrial film recycling, only one in four plastic bottles is recycled.

If tests support MPR, Wrap will look to establish a business case.

"MPR must be the best option both economically and environmentally, and the whole supply chain would have a role to play in making it work," said Davidson.

Wrap hopes to complete its study in early 2008 and be in a situation to publish a UK-specific strategy by March.

Around 20,000 tonnes of mixed plastics are collected in the UK each year, much of which is exported.