Sustainable packaging: UK's HDPE milk bottle recycling rate increases to 72%

It is estimated that 119,000 tons of HDPE plastic milk bottles were consumed in the UK in 2009. Of this total, 86,790 tonnes were collected for recycling – reflecting the growth in curbside collections which, it is estimated, now accounts for 4 out of 5 of every bottle collected for recycling.

James Crick, Business Development Director at Nampak, comments: “This is great news for Nampak and the Dairy Industry as the HDPE collected can be recycled back into rHDPE (recycled-content) plastic milk bottles. All the milk bottles we manufacture in the UK now contain up to 10% rHDPE, and we are currently planning with our customers to move to 15% in October 2010. In the longer term, we have targets to increase the recycled content up to 50% by 2020 or before. The increase in availability of recycled material will support our supply of high-quality recycled content HDPE bottles to our customers.”

“However, while we welcome the substantial increase in recycling rates, it is essential that all of those concerned continue the drive toward increased recycling levels well above this new level announced by Recoup of 72%. The Dairy Industry is committed to the principles of recycling, but for it to reach its packaging targets it is of fundamental importance that Local Authorities and consumers remain committed to recycling too. Nampak is playing its part in educating the public through its educational based website www.bottle2bottle.com.”