Recycling: Difference between revisions
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[[Category:Technologies & Solutions]] [[Category:Legislation & Policy]] | [[Category:Technologies & Solutions]] [[Category:Legislation & Policy]][[Category:Targets & Metrics]] | ||
Recycling is | [[Recycling]] is defined as '''''any [[recovery]] operation by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes'''''. It includes the reprocessing of organic material (e.g. [[Composting]], [[Anaerobic Digestion]] etc.) but excludes energy recovery and the reprocessing into materials that are to be used as fuels or for [[Backfilling]] operations.’ <ref>[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32008L0098&from=EN] Waste Framework Directive 2008 </ref> <ref name="Stat>[https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data] DEFRA Digest Data Published May 2022</ref>. Materials recovered for onward recycling/processing are often termed 'recylables' and 'recyclates', especially in the context of [[Dry Recyclables|dry recyclables]] such as [[Paper]], [[Card|Cardboard]], [[Plastic|Plastic Bottles]], [[Metal|Drinks Cans]] and [[Glass|Glass Bottles]]. | ||
==Collection== | |||
[[Collection System Design|Collection systems]] for materials that can be recycled varies by location across the UK, a range of factors influence the collection scheme that is employed for a region including whether the area is rural or urban and the type of housing and facilities in the area and for businesses the types of waste and the space they have for recycling. There are three broad collection schemes in the UK: | |||
*[[Kerbside collection | Kerbside Collection]] | |||
*[[Twin Stream Collection]] | |||
*[[Comingled Collection]]<ref name="ref1" >Recycle Now, 2020. [https://www.recyclenow.com/recycling-knowledge/how-is-it-recycled/collections Recycling collections | Recycle Now. Online. Recyclenow.com. [Accessed 3 Mar. 2020].]</ref>. | |||
In the case where [[Dry Recyclables]] materials are separately collected as part of a [[Kerbside collection | Kerbside Collection]], or at a [[HWRC]] site, they are generally termed [[Source Segregated Recyclate|source segregated recyclate]]. Where [[Dry Recyclables|dry recyclables]] are mixed, i.e. [[Twin Stream Collection]] and [[Comingled Collection]], the materials tend to be termed [[Dry Mixed Recyclables]] and require some form of onward processing (see below). | |||
==Materials== | |||
Whilst the materials can include a wide range of recycled materials, as per the above definition, the main materials are reported as follows: | |||
*Collected [[Dry Recyclables]] (either as separate [[Dry Recyclables]] or [[Dry Mixed Recyclables]]) which typically comprise: | |||
**[[Paper]] | |||
**[[Card|Cardboard]] | |||
**[[Plastic|Plastic Bottles]] | |||
**[[Metal|Drinks Cans]] and | |||
**[[Glass|Glass Bottles]] | |||
*Organic Waste which typically comprises: | |||
** [[Food Waste]] (typically sent to [[Anaerobic Digestion]]) | |||
** [[Green Waste]] (typically sent for [[composting]]) and | |||
** Mixed [[Food Waste]] and [[Green Waste]] (typically sent to [[In Vessel Composting]]) | |||
*Other Recyclable materials (typically collected at [[HWRC]] sites) include: | |||
**[[Metal|Scrap Metal]] | |||
**[[WEEE]] | |||
**[[Wood]] | |||
**[[Textiles]] | |||
**[[Bulky Waste]] | |||
The move towards [[Consistency in Recycling Collections in England]]<ref>[https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environmental-quality/consultation-on-consistency-in-household-and-busin/ Consultation on Consistency in Household and Business Collection]</ref> is progressing towards a uniform approach to materials collected for recycling for [[Household Waste]] and [[Non-Household Municipal Waste]]. | |||
==Process== | |||
Following collection and sorting, recyclable materials are sent for reprocessing. This generally occurs at a [[Material Recovery Facility]] ([[MRF]]) for [[DMR]] materials. Mixed recycling streams are sorted into different material types at [[MRF]]s, either mechanically or by hand, ready for the materials to then be sent to manufacturers to make it into new products. Once recyclable materials are sorted, they are then classified as valuable commodities in the worldwide markets<ref name="ref1" />. | |||
In a [[Circular Economy]], the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible. Within the circularity discussions both 'Closed' and 'Open' loops are referred to: | |||
* '''[[Closed Loop Recycling]]''' (where the recycled material is used to make another product in the same category i.e. plastic water bottles being used to make new plastic bottles) | |||
* '''[[Open Loop Recycling]]''' (where recycled material is used in a different application in a different product i.e. plastic water bottles being used to make fleeces and sleeping bags) | |||
== Performance for Household Waste == | |||
The UK [[Household Waste|household waste]] recycling rate (including [[IBA]] metal) was 44.6% in 2021<ref>https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data/uk-statistics-on-waste#impact-of-coronavirus-covid-19</ref>, and 44.2% in 2020, decreasing from 46.0% in 2019. <ref name="Stat" />. | |||
[[File:Digest Recycling Performance.png|frame|center|Recycling Rate from Households 2010-2021]] | |||
The UK [[Household Waste|household waste]] recycling rate (excluding [[IBA]] metal) from 2010 - 2020 is shown below. | |||
[[File:Recycling Rates ex IBA.png|frame|center|Recycling Rates from Households excluding IBA 2000 - 2021]] | |||
==Performance for Non-Household Waste== | |||
The recycling rate for [[CD&E Waste]] is generally reported as a [[recovery]] rate, and was 9.23% for the UK in the most recent DEFRA 2022 data release<ref name="Stat" />. | |||
For [[Commercial and Industrial Waste]] the recovery and recycling rates are less accurately understood and reported, as many of the facilities that handle the recyclable materials are exempt from [[Environmental Permit|permitting]] and the associated reporting requirements. As a result, the data is less consistent and has a methodology applied to assess arisings etc<ref> [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/873328/Commercial_and_Industrial_Waste_Arisings_Methodology_Revisions_Oct_2018_contact_details_update_v0.2.pdf Commercial and Industrial Waste Arisings Methodology Revisions for England]</ref>. Whilst [[Packaging Waste|packaging waste]] recycling was reported at around 70%, the range of opinion on recycling of [[Commercial and Industrial Waste]] was captured in an overview report by [[Tolvik]] for the [[ESA]]<ref>[https://www.tolvik.com/published-reports/view/uk-residual-waste-2030-market-review/ UK Residual Waste: 2030 Market Review]</ref> at between 47% and 65%, with a mean recycling rate of around 61% of all reported assumptions. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> |
Latest revision as of 07:40, 28 June 2023
Recycling is defined as any recovery operation by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes. It includes the reprocessing of organic material (e.g. Composting, Anaerobic Digestion etc.) but excludes energy recovery and the reprocessing into materials that are to be used as fuels or for Backfilling operations.’ [1] [2]. Materials recovered for onward recycling/processing are often termed 'recylables' and 'recyclates', especially in the context of dry recyclables such as Paper, Cardboard, Plastic Bottles, Drinks Cans and Glass Bottles.
Collection
Collection systems for materials that can be recycled varies by location across the UK, a range of factors influence the collection scheme that is employed for a region including whether the area is rural or urban and the type of housing and facilities in the area and for businesses the types of waste and the space they have for recycling. There are three broad collection schemes in the UK:
In the case where Dry Recyclables materials are separately collected as part of a Kerbside Collection, or at a HWRC site, they are generally termed source segregated recyclate. Where dry recyclables are mixed, i.e. Twin Stream Collection and Comingled Collection, the materials tend to be termed Dry Mixed Recyclables and require some form of onward processing (see below).
Materials
Whilst the materials can include a wide range of recycled materials, as per the above definition, the main materials are reported as follows:
- Collected Dry Recyclables (either as separate Dry Recyclables or Dry Mixed Recyclables) which typically comprise:
- Organic Waste which typically comprises:
- Food Waste (typically sent to Anaerobic Digestion)
- Green Waste (typically sent for composting) and
- Mixed Food Waste and Green Waste (typically sent to In Vessel Composting)
- Other Recyclable materials (typically collected at HWRC sites) include:
The move towards Consistency in Recycling Collections in England[4] is progressing towards a uniform approach to materials collected for recycling for Household Waste and Non-Household Municipal Waste.
Process
Following collection and sorting, recyclable materials are sent for reprocessing. This generally occurs at a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) for DMR materials. Mixed recycling streams are sorted into different material types at MRFs, either mechanically or by hand, ready for the materials to then be sent to manufacturers to make it into new products. Once recyclable materials are sorted, they are then classified as valuable commodities in the worldwide markets[3].
In a Circular Economy, the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible. Within the circularity discussions both 'Closed' and 'Open' loops are referred to:
- Closed Loop Recycling (where the recycled material is used to make another product in the same category i.e. plastic water bottles being used to make new plastic bottles)
- Open Loop Recycling (where recycled material is used in a different application in a different product i.e. plastic water bottles being used to make fleeces and sleeping bags)
Performance for Household Waste
The UK household waste recycling rate (including IBA metal) was 44.6% in 2021[5], and 44.2% in 2020, decreasing from 46.0% in 2019. [2].
![](/images/e/eb/Digest_Recycling_Performance.png)
The UK household waste recycling rate (excluding IBA metal) from 2010 - 2020 is shown below.
![](/images/e/e0/Recycling_Rates_ex_IBA.png)
Performance for Non-Household Waste
The recycling rate for CD&E Waste is generally reported as a recovery rate, and was 9.23% for the UK in the most recent DEFRA 2022 data release[2].
For Commercial and Industrial Waste the recovery and recycling rates are less accurately understood and reported, as many of the facilities that handle the recyclable materials are exempt from permitting and the associated reporting requirements. As a result, the data is less consistent and has a methodology applied to assess arisings etc[6]. Whilst packaging waste recycling was reported at around 70%, the range of opinion on recycling of Commercial and Industrial Waste was captured in an overview report by Tolvik for the ESA[7] at between 47% and 65%, with a mean recycling rate of around 61% of all reported assumptions.
References
- ↑ [1] Waste Framework Directive 2008
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 [2] DEFRA Digest Data Published May 2022
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Recycle Now, 2020. Recycling collections | Recycle Now. Online. Recyclenow.com. [Accessed 3 Mar. 2020.]
- ↑ Consultation on Consistency in Household and Business Collection
- ↑ https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data/uk-statistics-on-waste#impact-of-coronavirus-covid-19
- ↑ Commercial and Industrial Waste Arisings Methodology Revisions for England
- ↑ UK Residual Waste: 2030 Market Review