The logistics industry’s ability to dispose of its polythene waste in a greener way is set to receive a welcome boost thanks to bpi.recycled products. The business – which already ranks as Europe’s largest polythene recycler recycling some 70,000 tonnes of material per annum – has just commissioned a brand new, state-of-the-art waste wash plant at its Rhymney factory in South Wales.
Estimated to have cost in the region of £4.5 million, the new plant will be used to recycle polythene waste such as used pallet stretchwrap, garment covers and shrinkfilm. It was officially unveiled on 9th March in an opening ceremony attended by representatives from the Environment Agency and DEFRA as well as dignitaries such as Jasper Roberts, Head of Waste, Resources and Efficiencies in the Government of Wales.
The new plant will enable bpi.recycled products, part of British Polythene Industries (BPI) plc and a sister business to leading manufacturer of transit packaging films bpi.minster films, to recycle an additional 25,000 tonnes of waste material each year. This waste will be used to create new products include refuse sacks, outdoor furniture and building films.
In addition to being one of the largest facilities of its kind in Europe, the new wash plant will also be one of the greenest. To maximise its efficiency and reduce its impact on the environment, it employs features such as low energy, high output motors, energy saving lighting and rainwater harvesting to replace the water lost each day.
The upgraded Rhymney plant will not only enhance bpi.recycled products’ network of strategically located recycling facilities across the UK, but will also help the business to increase the number of closed loop initiatives it offers. Under these schemes, bpi.recycled products can recover material such as retailers’ back of store polythene waste before supplying the same retailer with recycled products like refuse sacks made from their own scrap.
Commenting on the investment, Gerry McGarry, Business Director at bpi.recycled products said: “At bpi.recycled products, we’re committed to facilitating more efficient, more sustainable means of UK-based recycling as well as to providing closed loop solutions wherever possible. The new plant at Rhymney will help to increase our already extensive recycling capabilities, bringing major benefits not only to our business, but also to UK recycling and to the environment as a whole.”