I-Plas Blog
Use less in the first place
It's obvious isn't it? we can cut down on the things we have to recycle by cutting down on unnecessary packaging and everyone is at it. Cadbury's reduced their packaging on Easter eggs by 25% this 'season' but this was dwarfed by Green and Black's 60% reduction. In their latest money saving TV ads, Asda are featuring their minimal wrap on ready meals as opposed to a whole cover '" the implication being this saves money so consumers benefit from lower prices. Not to be out-done Tesco have just launched a trial scheme where you can leave excessive and unwanted packaging near the tills for recycling '" top of my list will be the box toothpaste is supplied in '" am I alone in wondering why something in a durable plastic and sealed container needs the added 'protection' of a four colour box? This desire to cut down on waste and recycle what you can is everywhere you look '" in the construction sector from Site Waste Management Plans to sustainable building initiatives to the hard pressed automotive industry. Lotus Cars recently announced that it now recycles 60% of the waste generated from their manufacturing operation in Norfolk compared with only 9% in 2001. Irrespective of what you feel a Lotus does for the environment you have to applaud their recycling drive. iplas is a recycling business so should we not be advocating the expansion of plastic packaging? Absolutely not! The potential is enormous. As a society we are still filling what is left of our precious landfill sites with material that could be recycled, so we have an awfully long way to go. The tip of the tip of the iceberg is what we are currently dealing with. So we say cut down on useless packaging, reduce waste but most of all recycle all you can. Patronise brands and products that meet these criteria and if you are lucky enough to own a Lotus please use it sparingly.
