From: Packaging News

Hovis has launched a UK-wide bread bag recycling initiative in partnership with recycling experts TerraCycle.

Recoup figures show that only one-in-ten local authorities currently recycle bread bags, and under the new scheme any LDPE plastic bread bag, both from Hovis and  other bread brands, can be sent in for recycling and the packaging will be shredded and converted into plastic pellets or flakes, before being used to make new recycled products such as public benches and outdoor furniture.

All Hovis bread bags are 100% recyclable through the plastic bag collection points at most major retailers’ stores, and the bread maker has started rolling out clearer recycling labels on packs to encourage more people to dispose of their bread bags correctly.

The Hovis scheme, called the Bread Bag Recycling Programme, aims to create a UK-wide network of public access bread bag recycling points.

Anyone can recycle via the Hovis and TerraCycle Bread Bag Recycling Programme, with consumers able to either register as a private collector, enabling them to collect used bread bags at home and then access free postage labels; or they can locate community collection points using a map on the TerraCycle website and take their used bread bags to dedicated collection points from where the packaging is then sent in for recycling.

If there isn’t an existing community collection point then consumers are encouraged to set up and administrate their own collection point for their community.

Nish Kankiwala, chief executive of Hovis, said: “Whilst all Hovis bread bags are 100% recyclable the new Bread Bag Recycling Programme will make it much easier for consumers to recycle their used bread bags by dropping them off to easily accessible public access recycling points or sending them in for free from home. Given the increasing public concern and debate about the level of un-processed plastic waste, we hope this will help as part of the wider efforts to boost recycling of plastics.”

Laure Cucuron, general manager for TerraCycle Europe, added: “Bread is a product that is consumed by many families on a daily basis so there is significant scope to alter consumer behaviour and to encourage people to recycle used bread bags. Hovis is helping to lead the agenda for the bread industry and we hope to see more brands and industries making moves in the same direction.”

Hovis has also recently become a member of the Plastic Pact, all demonstrating its commitment to operating sustainably.