Reducing single use plastic

This is a complex topic with a lot of science behind it. In order to simplify and help understanding, I’ve used some generalisations

E.g. Saying plastic is “non-toxic”.... Most isn’t toxic but some is and a lot of it is toxic when burned.

Extinction Rebellion - Farnham

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What is plastic?

• Lots of different types of plastic (PE, PET, PVC, PC, PS)

Polythene polymerisation

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•Not all plastic is bad – It’s very good at the job it does

Why is plastic bad for the environment?

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Why is single-use plastic a problem?

•Cheap & easy solution (67% of all UK plastic waste. About 1.5m

tonnes)

•Difficult to separate (Only about 30% of collected plastic is processed)

•Mixed plastics

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Where is plastic used in the products

we buy?

•Used everywhere to make it safer and easier to

transport products

• Extend shelf life & security of products

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So why is it like this?

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What can we do to improve things?

Central & Local Government:

• Tax virgin plastic

• More recycling collection points

• Bottle deposit schemes

• Standardise collection & processing

• Mark the plastic type clearly

• Educate people

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April 2022. New government legislation.

Importation and manufacture of plastic in

UK must be more than 30% recycled

content or taxed at £150/tonne

What can we do to improve things?

Retailers & Manufacturers:

• Design products better (avoid plastic, lightweighting)

• Change our supply chains

• Retailers stop multipacks

• Restrict the type of plastic used

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What can we do to improve things?

Us:

• Buy loose/unwrapped products

• Use returnable carriers

• Protest and complain to retailers and suppliers

• Return unwanted packaging to retailers

• Shop elsewhere

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What can we do to improve things?

Re-use:

• Take your own packaging to store

• Use ziplock bags

• Use something else (Glass, wax covers)

• Recycle more

• Loop logistics

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What can Terracycle collect?

Paid for by Manufacturers. 300 waste types including:

• Beauty products

• Food pouches

• Crisp packets

• Sweet wrappers

• Toothpaste tubes/toothbrushes

• Coffee capsules

• Contact lenses/packaging

• Plastic bags

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Benches - £1,000, Tables - £1,200, Watering Cans - £15

The more plastic collected, the cheaper they will be

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5JqrdxnZfgFor more info

What next for XRF plastics?

•More demos at stores and/or manufacturers?

• Set up a Terracycle location with Farnham Council?

•Get Sainsbury’s to partner with Terracycle?

•Work with local events (farmers market, etc) to

reduce waste?

•Meet with Biffa (kerbside collection) to see what

they could do?

•Other????

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