RECOUP questions material switching trend
The plastics recycling charity cautions that sometimes plastic is swapped out without considering the effect on overall recyclability.
RECOUP says, 'When packaging is assessed in isolation rather than as part of the overall supply chain then citizens can be lulled into a false sense of security regarding recyclability and environmental sustainability claims.'
To highlight some of these key issues, RECOUP has produced a set of case studies that demonstrate the issues and how improvements can be made to ensure maximum recovery while minimising the impact on the environment. The charity warns, 'It is important that any claims made concerning sustainability are valid and not "greenwashing"'.
Illustrations particularly highlight issues with multi-material packaging, such as laminated paper bottles and trays. Often the pack haS the best chance of being recycled and recovered in its original state, threfore questioning to what purpose the swap was made.
