Last week, Closed Loop Recycling, the biggest recycler of plastic milk bottles, said that it was on the brink of administration. The move was blamed on the drop in the price of oil and that its customers wanted to buy recycled plastic but did not want to pay more than virgin plastic.
Dow pointed to supporting statements from Dairy UK, Dairy Crest and Co-operative Food.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support across the supply chain for the UK plastic recycling industry,” said Dow. “This is a message that has been repeated by all the key stakeholders across the Dairy Roadmap. They have made their support public, and Wrap now has a solution on the table to ensure the future of plastic recycling.”
Dairy UK said: “(The industry is) keenly aware that the plastic recycling industry is facing difficult times and we have every intention to meet our targets…It is crucial that all sides of the supply chain work together with government to achieve these results.”
A spokesperson for Dairy Crest said that the company “remains committed to rHDPE” and will continue its involvement with the Dairy Roadmap.
A spokesperson for The Co-operative Food said:“We have no plans to move away from using recycled content in our milk bottles and we will continue to help in the progress towards the Dairy Roadmap targets for recycled content.”
Dow added: “This is a message that has been repeated by all the key stakeholders across the Dairy Roadmap. They have made their support public, and WRAP now has a solution on the table to ensure the future of plastic recycling. The cost to secure the future of this industry is just 10th of a penny on a 2 pint bottle of milk. Separately, Friends of the Earth has launched a campaign of support with its members who want to see recycled milk bottle content in their plastic milk bottles. We know from a recent You Gov survey that 68% of UK consumers support the future of the industry and are happy to pay the additional 10th of a penny to ensure this.”
