The recycling specialist will increase capacity at its Dagenham plant from 35,000 to 55,000 tonnes per annum to meet demands of the dairy industry as it works towards higher recycled content targets, while also diverting a further 30,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in the process.
The expansion will involve adding further equipment to its existing site in Dagenham.
Chris Dow, chief executive of Closed Loop Recycling, said there had been a big commitment from the sector to complete the HDPE recycling loop. "I am confident that our expansion will bring the 2020 target of 50% recycled material in plastic bottles closer," he said.
Liz Goodwin, chief executive of WRAP, said the expansion is a good example of how businesses can work together to achieve the economic and environmental benefits of a circular economy. 'It's great to see circular economy ideas being converted into positive action," she said.
Closed Loop Recycling was the first company in the world to recycle both PET and HDPE plastic bottles into food grade material for new food and drink packaging, and is also implementing an awareness campaign with local authorities to increase collection rates of milk bottles.
