Article published: 01 Mar 2025

MP calls for increased recycling of plastics not collected at roadside

Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols submitted a written question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

She asked the Secretary of State what steps are being taken to increase the recycling rates of soft plastics not normally collected at the kerbside.

The question was answered by Mary Creagh, Parliamentary under-secretary for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

She said: “Recyclable plastic film and flexible packaging is to be collected for recycling from both households and businesses across the UK by March 31, 2027.

“Waste is a devolved policy area. This will be implemented as part of Simpler Recycling in England, and the devolved administrations will have similar arrangements.

“In the lead up to this requirement, existing kerbside, front of store, and postal take back collections of plastic films for recycling will continue.

“These are expected to increase in response to certainty over the timing of the introduction of this new collection requirement.

“Investment in new UK plastic reprocessing facilities is also expected.

“To support our ambitious goals to recycle plastic film, Defra, alongside the Flexible Plastic Fund, UK Research and Innovation, and Zero Waste Scotland, is funding a multi-million-pound pilot project on flexible plastic kerbside collections.”

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