Low-density polyethylene recycling pilot launched in Manchester
Duo UK and EMERGE Recycling are collaborating to recycle LDPE film collected from local businesses into ecommerce mailing bags.
Packaging manufacturer, Duo UK, and social enterprise, EMERGE Recycling, have partnered to launch a collection and recycling pilot for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in Manchester.
The recycling scheme will see LDPE films collected from 30 businesses across Greater Manchester until 18 March 2025, when the material will be recycled into new packaging by Duo UK.
The businesses are able to bring unwanted polythene to collection points organised by EMERGE Recycling. This would include any LDPE used in their processes or waste from mailing bags that have been returned to retailers, as well as any unwanted polythene packaging items from team members' homes.
The material collected will be handled by EMERGE Recycling, and then made into recycled pellets using polythene recyclers. In Duo UK’s facilities, the recycled pellet will then be used to manufacture ecommerce mailing bags.
Lucy Danger, Chief Executive of EMERGE, explained the goals of the pilot: “Our vision as a social enterprise is to help organisations implement the Real 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle. By segregating materials at source, we optimise their inherent value, whilst also reducing the negative impact of waste incineration.
“Together with Duo, we have an excellent opportunity to reach a greater number of businesses in the region, providing them with a way of recycling LDPE easily and cost-effectively, while at the same time reintroducing waste material back into the circular economy.”
Zow Brimelow, Director of Duo UK, added: “As a business, we use a significant amount of post-consumer recycled pellets, turning this material into new packaging products. In fact, year on year, this has increased to over 30% of our total material usage. This campaign with EMERGE will enable more valuable waste to be kept in the economy and available to manufacturers like us to use to create brand new products reducing dependency on virgin materials.”
Wider roll out across Greater Manchester is then planned, to support businesses ahead of the upcoming Simpler Recycling regulations, due to come into effect on 31 March.
Low-density polyethylene recycling
Despite being a recyclable material, LDPE recycling rates are below, with only around 5 per cent being recycled.
Collection issues, contamination, and processing difficulties all contribute to challenges with LDPE recycling, with many local recycling programs not accepting LDPE in curbside bins.
Plastic film, the focus of the pilot, is currently not recycled by Manchester City Council, meaning that businesses in the region need to take the film to specialist recyclers.
Discussing the problems associated with LDPE recycling, Brimelow added: “Low-Density Polyethylene is widely used in many common products, but levels of recycling have been historically low. In large part this is down to poor infrastructure, as the waste material has to be separated from other types of plastics before being recycled.
“A lack of public awareness has also contributed to low recycling rates, whether that’s consumer, commercial or industrial waste. The aim of this partnership is to use our collective resources, expertise and passion to strengthen closed-loop recycling in the region by engaging with small, medium and large companies that generate plastic waste and do not have the facilities or know-how to recycle it.”
