This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and deliver personalised ads. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Plastic Recycling Rethink Required
Plastic Recycling Rethink Required
With the news coming that China proposed to cut the amount of waste it imported from other countries late last year, the recycling and waste industry in the UK have already started to see the impact.
On January 1st this year the ban came into force, meaning that companies from the UK could no longer send 24 kinds of solid waste – some of which include plastic bottles and mixed paper. As China is one of the biggest importers of recyclable materials in the world, it leaves many people wondering where the waste will now go.
China refers to the rubbish as “foreign garbage”, something it formerly took in from countries like Japan, the US and the UK. China has long been a manufacturing force in the world, meaning it required more recyclable materials, but it’s now thought that China’s own domestic market for recycling has reached a point which is allowing them to stop buying in material.
The result has already seen lower grades of recyclable materials collected piling up at waste sites with nowhere to go.
What can be done instead?
The government, more precisely environment secretary Michael Gove, has already announced plans to cut the amount of plastic in the UK. This would presumably be via initiatives likes carrier bag charges, which helped to slash the number of plastic bags in circulation, and the ban on plastic microbeads in products. In direct relation to China’s import ban, Gove has yet to state what the government will do.
Some have suggested that this could be a benefit for the UK, forcing us to develop our own recycling infrastructure which would create jobs and ensure we utilise as much material as possible for our own industries.
There are other positive initiatives too, such as news of plastic bottle deposit schemes, rewarding people for recycling their plastics. However, it’s unclear whether this would pile more pressure on finding somewhere for the waste to go.
In the meantime, Brown Recycling are endeavouring to recycle as much of these materials as possible, but to do this the materials ideally need to be fully segregated at source for single stream recycling. Co-mingled or mixed recycling is frequency contaminated as people are not always aware of what can and can’t be recycled, and would not be aware of the penalties incurred by recyclers exporting contaminated recycling loads.
At Brown Recycling we provide waste management and recycling service for Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe and the surrounding areas, helping to reduce waste sent to landfill and achieve our “zero to landfill” target. To learn more about the materials we can recycle and how our services could benefit you, simply contact our professional team today.
Got any burning questions?
You can ask us a question online using our contact form. Simply provide your name, email (purely for confirmation purposes) and the details of your enquiry, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
What our clients say about us
“We are hugely grateful to Brown Recycling for their help on DIY SOS: The Big Build in Stoke. Dave and the team went above and beyond to clear the site and then bring in other suppliers who also supported this great cause. Thanks to the generosity of countless suppliers and volunteers, Stoke now has a community centre that will support its residents for many years to come.”
Read more testimonials
Fully accredited by leading industry bodies
-
Excellent service on a recent Hazardous waste removal from one of our sites. Paddy and Stacey wasted no time in arranging for our waste to be removed in surprisingly quick turnaround. 10/10...
1 week ago -
Hired a skip to clear a huge pile of garden waste. Arrived on time, picked up bang on time, dead easy to book and pay. Courteous, helpful drivers. Job done! just as it should be, without drama. Highly...
1 month ago -
Very professional service and the customer service team are very helpful and knowledgeable. We have been working with browns and using their services for a number of years and cannot fault it. Very co...
1 month ago -
Terry was very efficient. We will use brown for skips again...
2 months ago -
Had problems with getting the skip into our drive but Browns persisted and 3 trucks later the 3rd driver got the job done. Incredible service from a very professional and competent company. Special me...
2 months ago -
Really efficient service, competitive price and they dropped off skip exactly where we asked them to. Easy to book a skip over the weekend using their online booking system. Very helpful when we nee...
3 months ago -
I ordered a skip at short notice and it arrived as requested. Having finished with it early Terry came and collected it very promptly which freed up the driveway. A Good service and reasonably priced....
3 months ago -
Brilliant service - I booked for the wrong date, but Browns were really helpful and changed the booking at the last minute....
4 months ago -
We chose Brown Recycling because out of the firms we rang the lady on the end of the phone knew exactly what we needed and was very helpful. ( Yes you can place a skip in a council paying car park) A...
5 months ago -
A big thanks to Phil, always helpful and polite when collecting cardboard, nothing too much trouble ....
5 months ago -
Christie has been great in providing us with a total review of our waste services on site. If you are looking at reviewing your waste service then I would highly recommend that you reach out to her as...
6 months ago -
really fast and a easy process. Thank you Christie...
6 months ago -
Christie has been most helpful and informative whilst booking a new service for plastic and general waste recycling. Would recommend :)...
6 months ago -
Christie was very helpful, she managed the whole process very efficiently and met our expectations. We now have the service and commercial offering we need for our business waste. We would recommend...
9 months ago -
Quick and really reliable service.... was a pleasure dealing with Christie!!!...
9 months ago -
Requested amendment to current waste collection. Very helpful and was able to answer all queries and adapt to our requirements. Definitely recommend...
10 months ago -
We had a visit today from Mark and Andy dropping off our new waste bin. I would just like to acknowledge their outstanding customer service. They disposed of the built up waste that we had gathered si...
11 months ago -
Full marks to Andy and Mark. Went above and beyond today and would highly recommend them to anybody looking to recycle large quantities of waste. Professional, efficient and very approachable...
11 months ago -
First time using Browns, they were clear, efficient and got the job done. Will continue to use their services....
1 year ago -
New to sorting a bin service for our new business. Christie and Brown Recyling has been great with helping us select the right type of bin required as well as not overspending for the sake of it. He...
1 year ago -
Super easy to set up a long term skip hire, Christie made things nice and clear and the prices were good too! everything was ready to go really quick, highly recommend Browns...
1 year ago