WORKPLACES can play a significant role in cutting the amount of plastic that goes to
landfill, according to workplace equipment supplier Slingsby, after research revealed that the UK is one of Europe’s worst offenders when it comes to disposing of plastic.
Research from Plastics Europe, which is a leading European trade association for plastic
manufacturers, studied plastic recycling rates in 29 countries and the results revealed some
major variations across the continent.
The UK is Europe’s third largest producer of plastic, behind Germany and Italy. However,
69% of the UK’s waste plastic is landfilled which means we sit in 22nd place out of the 29
countries when it comes to recycling and recovering plastic. Nine countries in the study
successfully recover and recycle almost all the plastic they generate.
Slingsby supplies more than 35, 000 workplace products across all industries including an
extensive range of recycling products and equipment. The company’s Marketing Director
Lee Wright, explains: “In recent decades plastic has become one of the world’s most
common and convenient materials due to it being extremely durable, lightweight and cheap
but it is difficult to dispose of which can make it problematic at the end of its lifespan.
“It is estimated that just over a third of waste plastic is produced by businesses and
workplaces and while most forward thinking organisations have taken steps to improve their
green credentials in recent years, there is nearly always room for improvement. The plastics
industry has set a target to send zero plastic waste to landfill by 2020 and while there is
clearly a lot of work to do to achieve this, there are also rewards out there for businesses
that embrace the challenge.
“In many cases CSR and zero waste policies can reduce waste disposal costs and even
generate revenue if recyclables can be resold. Plus customers increasingly want to know
that products they buy are made responsibly and many select suppliers purely on this basis.”
Lee continues: “Where possible, businesses should continually explore new ways of
preventing and reducing waste and always ensure that it is efficiently segregated which
simplifies the recycling procedure and emphasises the importance of it.
“This is particularly important where plastics are concerned because most can be recycled
and those that can’t will often provide feedstock for waste to energy facilities that produce
electricity and heat. Businesses producing plastics also have a moral responsibility to
consider whether their products can be improved to make them better prepared for re-use
because ultimately plastic products and plastic waste should go hand in hand.”
Below is a small selection of popular recycling related products from Slingsby’s range that
are available by visiting www.slingsby.com or calling 0800 294 4440.
WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) signs
encourage recycling and are designed to aid conformity to
recycling schemes.
Prices from £4.38 + VAT
Colour coded eco bins
For ease of identification and to encourage recycling. Granite base bin with colour coded lids. H x W x D 805 x 490 x 475mm. Capacity 75 litres. Signs not included and must be ordered separately. £116.00 + VAT with discounts available for multiple orders
Slingsby was established in Bradford during 1893 by Harry Crowther Slingsby who designed
and created a range of robust trucks and trolleys to move heavy loads horizontally around
large buildings. Several members of the Slingsby family remain on the board of directors
and whilst the company is still famous for its manual handling equipment, it now supplies
more than 35, 000 workplace products to a full range of industries via its catalogues and
website. For further information visit www.slingsby.com
