Plans for an expansion of its milk bottle recycling facility have been announced by Closed Loop Recycling.
Due to extra demand from the dairy industry for more recycled content in milk bottles, the company is to invest in new infrastructure so that its capacity reaches 55,000 tonnes per annum at its plant in Dagenham.
This will make the company the largest recycler of milk bottles in the world.
Its current capacity allows the production of 35,000 tonnes of mixed plastic bottles producing 11,000 tonnes of rPET and 6,000 tonnes of rHDPE per annum.
Closed Loop Recycling chief executive Chris Dow said: “Recycled milk bottles are a massive win for the circular economy. The increased demand for recycled content is an example of the whole industry working together – retailers, producers, brands and industry bodies – to implement an ambitious plan. This has created a sustainable business model with enormous potential for the future.
“There has been a huge commitment from the companies in the sector, including our customers, who have invested in technology and plants to complete the HDPE recycling loop. I am confident that our expansion will bring the 2020 target of 50 per cent recycled material in plastic bottles closer.”
It is also calling on local authorities and other stakeholders to increase collection rates of milk bottles to supply it with the necessary material.
Closed Loop Recycling has reached agreement with the London Thames Gateway Development to lease an additional three acres next to its existing plant to help facilitate future expansion.
