Projects per year
Abstract
“Plastic waste is one of the biggest global environmental challenges” (House of Commons Environment, 2022, p. 3). In the UK, 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste were generated in 2021 (DEFRA, 2022). Just 44.4% of this was recycled (DEFRA, 2022). This recycling does not always happen in the UK. “Currently the UK sends over 60% of its plastics abroad” (House of Commons, 2022, p. 3).
Challenges lie in the UK’s waste recycling system. There are approximately 39 different bin collection systems in use across 391 local authorities, with an estimated 3,500 material recovery facilities (MRFs) involved in sorting waste across the UK. In turn, the rules can change from one area to the next.
The social, economic, and environmental implications of poor recycling rates are stark. It is well acknowledged that we need to do things differently. This is why the One Bin trials are important. They shed light on the types of challenges householders face in trying to do the recycling well and what is called for in response. They also provided an opportunity to assess the types, quantities and qualities of plastics flowing through households.
Challenges lie in the UK’s waste recycling system. There are approximately 39 different bin collection systems in use across 391 local authorities, with an estimated 3,500 material recovery facilities (MRFs) involved in sorting waste across the UK. In turn, the rules can change from one area to the next.
The social, economic, and environmental implications of poor recycling rates are stark. It is well acknowledged that we need to do things differently. This is why the One Bin trials are important. They shed light on the types of challenges householders face in trying to do the recycling well and what is called for in response. They also provided an opportunity to assess the types, quantities and qualities of plastics flowing through households.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Type | Report |
| Media of output | Written report |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2023 |
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'One Bin to Rule Them All: Headlines for Households'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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One Bin to Rule Them All
Shaver, M. (PI), Holmes, H. (CoI) & Sharmina, M. (CoI)
1/11/20 → 31/01/24
Project: Research
Research output
- 1 Commissioned report
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Tackling household plastic waste: best practice for a circular economy
Holmes, H., Shaver, M., Holmes, T. & Kortsen, K., 2023, Manchester: Zenodo. 1 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Impacts
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OneBin
Shaver, M. (Participant), Holmes, H. (Participant), Sharmina, M. (Participant), Holmes, T. (Participant), Kortsen, K. (Participant) & Adelekan, A. (Participant)
Impact: Economic, Environmental, Policy, Awareness and understanding, Attitudes and behaviours, Society and culture