First plastic bag recycling plant launched

The PlasRecycle plant in Woolwich, which has benefitted from £10.7 million private equity investment, will save around 1.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide for every tonne of plastic packaging it recycles.

The plant, which should be fully operational by the end of the year, sources its feedstock from waste companies and retailers and has the capacity to process 20,000 tonnes per year of used plastic films, to produce a plastic granulate that can be used to create new black sacks and carrier bags.

PlasRecycle founder and chief executive Duncan Grierson said: “This pioneering project is a UK first and as well as recycling bags back into a high quality plastic pellet for reuse, we are creating over 30 new ‘green’ jobs.”

PlasRecycle brings a green option to [those] who have previously had little choice but to export, landfill or incinerate their waste

Chairman of PlasRecycle Paul Levett

PlasRecycle’s announcement that it had secured a £10.7 million investment and was on course to open came just days after Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg introduced a 5p mandatory charge for single use carrier bags - taking effect from autumn 2015.

To help incentivise companies to use bags such as those created at the PlasRecycle plant, the government will exempt from the charge those businesses that use certain biodegradable materials in their carrier bags.

PlasRecycle chairman Paul Levett said: “PlasRecycle brings a green option to local authorities and businesses who have previously had little choice but to export, landfill or incinerate their waste plastic bags and packaging film.”