Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

ECPE PPF: To investigate a plastic free alternative to single use plastic sacks for co-mingled recyclate reflecting technical, social economic and environmental constraints

People Involved

Project Description

Scarborough Borough Council like other councils across England provide a single use plastic sack for residents to store and present their recycling in. This is because the density of housing and space available does not permit the use of a wheeled bin or other receptacle suitable for long-term re-use. The plastic sacks are routinely classed as a waste product at the Materials Recycling Facility [MRF] and disposed of via energy from waste [EFW] this cost is then passed back to the Council through the gate fee. The Borough Council would like to explore the viability of moving from single use plastic sacks to an alternative – possibly paper, which could be fully recycled, and not be a waste product, which in turn would have a positive effect on the gate fee. The Council dispenses 20,000 sacks per month currently costing £40/1000 (for comparison paper sacks can cost £228/1000).
The viability will need to encompass operational requirements – storage on vehicle, ability to get sacks to residents, residents’ views, cost/benefit and also the impact on the outputs from UPM.

Status Project Complete
Funder(s) Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council
Value £18,900.00
Project Dates Jan 1, 2020 - Nov 30, 2020
Partner Organisations Scarborough Borough Council


You might also like

PEOPLE: Primary care and community Engagement to Optimise time to Presentation with Lung cancEr symptoms in HULL Jun 1, 2017 - Jun 30, 2023
More people are diagnosed with and die from lung cancer in Hull than any other place in Yorkshire. Our aim is to improve earlier diagnosis of lung cancer by [1] getting people to see their doctor if they get lung symptoms and [2] getting GPs to refe... Read More about PEOPLE: Primary care and community Engagement to Optimise time to Presentation with Lung cancEr symptoms in HULL.