Polythene Recycling

All polythene is 100% recyclable, again and again and again… 

Polythene is an oil-based product; the blue plastic beads in the photo above are extruded (blown up like a gigantic bubble) to create the polythene film from which we manufacture our bags.  Any recycled polythene bags are easily turned back into these beads, so the same process can start once more.

Where can I recycle polythene?
Polythene packaging can be recycled via supermarket carrier bag recycling bins, although you will need to cut any paper stickers or labels off first as they are not recyclable. Alternatively you can send it to us for us to recycle for you (provided any paper labels are removed).

What about biodegradable polythene?
Recent advances in technology have resulted in a range of plastic films that are degradable, biodegradable and compostable. Also new developments have allowed the production of plastic films from renewable resources, such as corn; these materials are also biodegradable and compostable.

Is biodegradable better than recyclable? 
Making a polythene envelope or mailing bag with a biodegradable material might be perceived to solve a particular waste issue at the end of it’s life, but they limit the ability to recycle. This doesn’t present a substantial problem where the biodegradable plastic is either clearly marked or exists in only a small amount of the waste stream, however if biodegradable plastics were to enter the waste stream in any significant volume this could seriously affect the ability to recycle plastic into new products.

Biodegradable plastics are technically recyclable, but a recycler would not want to recycle biodegradable plastics into products such as building films or plastic wood substitutes which are intended to last.
The shelf life of a biodegradable bag will also be shorter than a recyclable one, which is why this is something we do not sell as a stock item. Also we prefer to reuse or recycle over throwing something away wherever possible, and would encourage our customers to do the same.

Why do we need polythene packaging at all?
The purpose of plastic packaging is to protect and contain, it is designed to be durable enough to do the job for which it is needed, without compromising the integrity of the product it’s being used to protect. By producing our products from lightweight and durable material, our products protect the goods that society and consumers want.
If packaging wasn’t used there would be far more damage to the environment from unnecessary spoilage and wastage of goods.