Consumer Obligations

The UK generates around 10 million tonnes of packaging waste a year.

More than half of it can be found in household bins. However a large proportion is also generated by businesses. Most of this waste ends up buried in the ground as landfill even though a lot of it could be recycled.

The introduction of recycling targets for businesses to recover a proportion of the packaging they place on the market, means that at least 76% of packaging waste must now be recovered and recycled. It is important that we all recycle as much as possible so that the UK can meet these targets.

Our handy recycling point locator will help you find a recycling facility close to you.

The discussion of the environment and sustainability is progressively growing. Businesses are becoming more and more aware of their impact on the environment and assessing how they can improve their environmental performance. In addition, the increasing cost of landfill has led to companies examining how they can reduce this cost and increase the value they can receive from waste.

Usually the first step to determining how much recyclable waste you generate as a business is to carry out an audit of all your waste arisings. This will help you decide if you can reduce the waste you produce or if recycling is a better option.

Here are some ideas to assess how you can increase your company's recycling levels.

Office Recycling

Most businesses generate office waste. You can help improve your recycling levels by recycling all office supplies from paper to ink cartridges and even computers: Business users of Waste Electrical and Electronic equipment (WEEE) have an obligation to ensure that it is dealt with in accordance to the WEEE regulations. You can also look at recycling on-site drinks containers from vending machines. Contact your Local Authority, canteen supplier or Wastepack who may be able to help.

Packaging used in the business

Some businesses can improve their environmental performance by recycling waste which is accumulated as part of the goods in process, either for own use or for re-sale. This would typically be cardboard boxes, shrink wrap or pallets.
An audit of how you transport goods between sites and to customers may also reveal recycling opportunities. For example, you may be able to substitute one-way packaging with reusable packaging such as tote boxes and wooden pallets if it does not sacrifice product safety or transportation requirements. You may also be able to minimise the use of packaging in your business by buying in bulk or in large, reusable containers.

Join your neighbours

Sometimes you do not generate enough waste to make recycling economically viable because it may not be enough for a lorry load. If this is the case, why not get together with other businesses in your area to set up a “milk round”.

Buy Recycled

Many businesses are now looking at sourcing stationery or packaging which contains an element of recycled material. This is important as it ensures there is a market for waste, and it also helps to create new collection and recycling facilities. Many office suppliers now have a selection of recycled products.

Wastepack Recycling

Our recycling team leads the way in advising on the extracting of recyclable materials from commercial and industrial waste streams, and identifying commercially viable markets for recyclate. If you would like help with recycling within your business, please contact us.

Tidyman
Dispose of with care. Do not litter.
Mobius Loop with Percentage
Denotes the percentage of recycled material used to manufacture a product.
Mobius Loop
Indicates that a product or part of a product can be recycled and where facilities are available.
European Ecolabel
The official Europe-wide award given to non-food products which minimise impacts on the environment.
Green Dot
In some countries (not the UK), the Green Dot symbol indicates that a contribution has been made to an authorised packaging recovery scheme. The UK operates on shared producer responsibility instead of a Green Dot system. Sometimes packaging is standardised for several markets with a green dot symbol included. If such packaging is distributed in the UK a trademark licence is required. Wastepack can provide its compliance scheme Members with such a licence free of charge.
Glass Label
Please put this bottle in the bottle bank.
Aluminium
Typically found on drinks/food cans, this symbol indicates that the packaging is made from recyclable aluminium.
Steel
Also found on drinks/food cans to indicate they are made from recyclable steel.
The NAPM Approved Recycled Paper Mark
Products bearing this symbol must be manufactured from a minimum 75% paper and board waste, no part of which should contain mill produced waste.
Polyethylene Terepthalate
These Polymer Identification Codes help the consumer to differentiate between various types of plastic. PET is rigid, transparent, glossy and sinks in water. Used mostly for plastic drinks bottles.
High Density Polyethylene
HDPE is semi-rigid and sinks in water. Commonly used for milk/water jugs and bleach bottles.
Polyvinyl Chloride
PVC is semi-rigid, glossy and sinks in water. Its uses include detergent/cleanser bottles and piping.
Low Density Polyethylene
LDPE is flexible and not crinkly. Used for bread/sandwich bags, six-pack rings etc.
Polypropylene
PP is semi-rigid with a low gloss finish. Commonly use for margarine/butter tubs, straws and screw tops.
Polystyrene
Often brittle and glossy. Used for styrofoam, egg cartons and foam cups.
All Other Resins & Multi-Materials
Multi-layer plastics are flexible and are used for ketchup and syrup bottles.
Wood
The trademark of the Forest Stewardship Council indicates that the wood used in a product came from a forest managed according to strict environmental, social and economic standards.

If you have any further questions simply message us…