For the first time in its 32-year history, an awards ceremony was this year part of the programme of the annual conference of UK-based plastics resource efficiency and recycling charity Recoup.
The awards were presented by Recoup’s CEO Stuart Foster in two categories. The first winner announced was for the ‘Best Development or Innovation to enhance recyclability or re-use' award which was presented to Berry Global with their Paint container recycling programme. Berry Global overcame the problem of recycling residual paint containers by partnering up with Paint360 to devise a circular partnership which combined paint and packaging recovery with recycling.
The winner of the second award for ‘Recycled Plastic Product of the Year’ was presented to Beko, for their recycled plastic washing machine tub. This entry was recognised, not just because of the recycled content of the product, but because of its potential scaleability, said Foster.
“Not only did the entry prove to increase the recycled content by replacing some PP and fibreglass with recycled PET flakes and reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumptions with its patented production method, but the product is scalable to use not only across washing machines, but also tumble dryers and some dishwashers. The market scale was the most impressive aspect of this entry.”
The surprise Chairman’s award, presented by chairman of the charity Jim Armstrong, was awarded to recognise an individual outside of Recoup and the Board who has enabled the organisation to fulfil their aims of driving forward plastics recycling and resource management through dedicating their time, knowledge and support. The award was presented to Francesca Hawes, MRF Operations Manager, Amey for her dedicated work, ‘not just over the last 12 months, but over the last few years, said Foster’, to improve packaging recyclability through facilitating sorting and technology trials and tests. He added that she was ‘well deserving of this award’.