Is Plastic Recycling A Myth?

We recently came across a thought-provoking article, which explored the challenges around plastic recycling and production.

The hugely interesting article appeared in The Telegraph The myth of plastic recycling is finally unravelling (£) covering a topic which is very pertinent for one of our investments.

Plastic recycling is an issue that concerns many of us, both its prevalence and environmental impact. And something which is becoming increasingly front of mind for many consumers is the complex process of recycling.

Whether it’s the initial confusion over when something can go into the recycling bin for sorting or concerns about what happens to our recyclable waste once it’s collected, consumers are raising questions about how we ‘do our bit’ to protect our environmental resources effectively.

It is not unreasonable to assume that when we recycle something, it is actually recycled so it has shocked many consumers that in fact, the majority is shipped across the world to be disposed of and/ or incinerated – both of which, of course, are at odds with the intent from the original consumer.

The Telegraph notes that the problem appears to be widespread and certainly not limited to soft plastics. According to Greenpeace and the pressure group Everyday Plastic, 58 per cent of all plastic waste in the UK is incinerated, 14 per cent is exported to other countries and 11 per cent is sent to landfill. Just 17 per cent is actually recycled.

As the article highlights, simply reducing plastic use is not straightforward. It can often increase carbon emissions to produce and use glass or cardboard, plus it is also a heavier material to ship. Plastic packaging often keeps food fresher for longer too, which in turn reduces waste. It is, therefore, an awkward truth that sometimes, plastic is best.

So, what can be done? There is a solution for which the technological capability already exists to help solve this.

One of our core values at Traditum is an aim to leave society a better place, so we were delighted when we identified the opportunity to invest in, and support, Terrae Novo. Terrae Novo takes non-recyclable plastic and uses it in the production of new substances which in turn can be used to make new plastic. Even better, this process is based in the UK so reduces the carbon footprint and costly shipping to, for example, China.

Terrae Novo takes used plastics, municipal waste and wood waste and through innovative production techniques, uses it to create one of three new materials – diesel, naphtha or aviation fuel. The resulting low-carbon liquid fuel diesel is a sustainable liquid fuel with no or very limited net CO2 emissions and is key to displacing imported fossil fuel volumes. Renewable naphtha is an intermediary product that converts to gasoline, plastics or feedstock for hydrogen production and it is a by-product that refineries already produce when they convert renewable feedstock into diesel. Lastly, Sustainable Aviation Fuel is produced from sustainable feedstocks and is very similar in its chemistry to traditional fossil jet fuel.

It is encouraging that solutions have already been developed and are being further refined to answer the complex, and often emotive subject, of how we reduce our environmental impact in a way which delivers both economic and environmental benefits. We remain committed to this important business and watch with interest as Terrae Novo grows and extends its role in combating climate change, for all our good.