WRAP invites tenders for mixed plastics recycling trials

• 
• 13th August 2008
• Recycling
 

WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) is seeking partners for the next phase of ground-breaking trials into commercial scale mixed plastics recycling.

The trial aims to find out whether mixed plastics recycling is commercially sustainable in the UK. It follows on from recent previous research that established the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of recycling mixed plastics packaging.

This showed the best environmental option is to invest in integrated plants capable of producing high quality recycled plastics combined with solid recovered fuel (SRF) technology for what is left and cannot be recycled. WRAP's aim is to develop at least 40,000 tonnes a year recycling capacity in the UK by 2011.

Finding a commercially viable solution is vital, says WRAP, to process the anticipated increase in mixed plastics waste collected from households and support the development of sustainable end markets. The trial has been divided into three parts and organisations can tender for individual parts, or all three.

Due to start in September, the project will focus on:

• A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) processing trial looking at effective mixed plastic sorting processes
• A commercial scale recycling trial and management of what remains and cannot be recycled
• Carrying out a detailed economic assessment to evaluate the commercial sustainability mixed plastics recycling

Results and data from the trial will be used to help stimulate investment in MRF operations, as well as mixed plastics recycling in the UK.

Paul Davidson, Plastics Sector Manager, comments: "This is the next major step on the path to widespread mixed plastics recycling in the UK, which will help to deliver a reduction in CO₂ emissions and divert waste from landfill. The findings will also provide valuable information to help MRF operators and reprocessors to develop practical solutions to recycling this material in the UK."

A full Tender Invitation Document and application form can be obtained from the WRAP website (http://www.wrap.org.uk/). The closing date for tender submissions is Monday August 25^th at 12.30pm.