The new UK packaging waste regulations, which came into force in April 2023, have put a spotlight on the importance of circular economy principles. The regulations require producers of packaging to take responsibility for the end-of-life of their products, and they impose fixed penalty fines for those who fail to meet their legal obligations.
Closed-loop recycling is a closed-system approach to waste management that keeps materials in use for as long as possible. By recycling products back into production, closed-loop recycling can help to reduce the need for virgin materials, conserve natural resources, and protect the environment.
Closed-loop recycling is a game-changer for sustainability. By recycling products back into production, closed-loop recycling can help to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and create jobs. A study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation found that closed-loop recycling could generate a net economic benefit of 1.8 trillion euros in Europe by 2030.
Nathan Gray, Head of Sustainability at Reconomy, share’s a unique approach from consultation to review. He highlights how businesses can benefit from implementing circular systems to save time, waste, and money.
Consultation
To improve their waste management processes, businesses should first conduct a thorough audit of their current practices. This audit should include a detailed analysis of the waste that is generated, how it is managed, and where it ends up. The findings of the audit can then be used to inform future plans for waste reduction and recycling.
For retail businesses, conducting a waste management audit can help them to evaluate their packaging and supply chain processes. This can lead to the identification of sustainable alternatives, such as recyclable or reusable packaging.
While retail businesses can benefit from evaluating their packaging and supply chain processes, manufacturing businesses can benefit from embracing waste reduction techniques such as lean manufacturing. Lean manufacturing is a set of principles that can help businesses to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
Equip process
During the “equip” process, businesses are provided with the necessary tools to facilitate the circular process. This may include heavy-duty equipment such as balers, compactors, or roll packers, as well as recycling bins, composting facilities, or in-store collection points.
Advanced recycling technology can help manufacturing businesses recover materials more efficiently, which can then be transformed into new products and resources. This can help to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, and it can also help to conserve natural resources.
Collection
The collection process is essential for the timely and responsible management of a company’s waste streams. By collecting waste regularly and efficiently, businesses can ensure that it is disposed of properly and does not end up in landfills or incinerators.
In the retail sector, well-designed waste collection systems can help to improve recycling rates and promote responsible disposal practices among customers. This is because well-designed systems make it easy for customers to recycle and dispose of waste properly.
Manufacturing businesses can also benefit from streamlined waste collection that incorporates better sorting and segregation principles. This is because streamlined waste collection can help to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills and incinerators, and it can also help to improve the efficiency of waste management operations.
Processing
It is estimated that 2.5 million metric tons of waste are generated in the UK every year. Of this, only 44% is recycled. The remaining 56% of waste is sent to landfills or incinerators. During the processing stage, recyclable waste is transformed into valuable, reusable resources. This can include materials such as paper, plastic, metal, and glass.
This could include innovative pilot schemes that transform waste into cash or second-life products. For example, some companies are offering to pay people for their recyclable waste. Others are creating products from recycled materials, such as furniture or clothing. These schemes are helping to reduce waste and create a circular economy.
In the retail sector, recycling facilities can be used to process packaging materials, while manufacturing companies can upcycle materials to reduce their environmental impact.
Compliance
Failure to comply with waste regulations can have serious consequences, including steep fines and lasting reputational damage. Compliance with waste regulations ensures that businesses stay in line with legal requirements and the best sustainable practices.
This is particularly important in the retail sector, where businesses need to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability in order to meet packaging waste regulations.
Review stage
To ensure that your circular performance is at its peak, regular reports from your chosen waste management experts can be helpful. These reports can provide insights into your waste streams, identify areas for improvement, and track your progress over time.
This can include ongoing feedback on your progress and the effectiveness of your waste management strategies. By analyzing data and tracking performance, businesses can identify areas for improvement and optimize their circular systems.
For instance, retailers can assess the success of their packaging reduction efforts by analyzing data about the types of packaging they use, the quantities of packaging they use, and the costs associated with packaging. They can also track customer feedback to see how customers feel about their packaging reduction efforts. Based on this data and feedback, retailers can explore new ways to get their customer base to help engage with sustainable practices.
Reports can be particularly useful for manufacturing firms to review waste generation patterns and identify opportunities for waste prevention. By analyzing data about the types of waste they generate, the quantities of waste they generate, and the costs associated with waste disposal, manufacturing firms can identify areas where they can reduce waste.
Sources
Europe’s circular-economy opportunity | McKinsey
Packaging waste: producer responsibilities – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
UK: plastic packaging waste types 2022 | Statista
Biggest environment fines of 2020 | Croner-i (croneri.co.uk)
