PIRAP

PIRAP is an industry action plan to increase the recycling of plastics which is a whole value chain approach including intiatives to:

increase collection
improve sorting
develop end markets for recycled plastics

PIRAP was set up in June 2015 to help meet the 57% plastic packaging recycling target by 2017. This target has now been extended to 2020 but still poses a challenge for the industry as further infrastructure is needed and end markets need development.

PIRAP is being implemented by the BPF, PlasticsEurope and Recoup with the support of WRAP.

The BPF Recycling Group are actively involved in PIRAP, their latest Strategy is Proposal for Growth of the UK plastics Recycling Sector in a Circular Economy 2017. The rigids working group, part of the BPF Recycling Group, have produced an article Recycled plastics: the eco-savvy product designer's choice.

For resources to help you to promote plastic packaging recycling, visit pledge4plastics.

Recoup's Recyclability By Design document provides advice to ensure that recyclability is consider from the outset.

PIRAP's vision

Who can get involved?

Why become a PIRAP supporter?

What do I have to do as a PIRAP supporter?

What has been achieved since PIRAP started?

Recycling Best Practice Newsletter

Supporters of PIRAP

PIRAP's vision

The UK plastics industry is the leader in the Circular Economy through implementing effective systems that maximise resource efficiency and the recycling and reuse of plastics.

Who can get involved?

The whole value chain can be involved in this initiative and show their support. This includes:

UK central government departments and agencies
Local authorities
Waste management companies
Plastic reprocessing companies
Business obligated under the 'Waste and Packaging Regulations' - retailers, brands owners, packaging converters and fillers

Why become a PIRAP supporter?

Increasing plastic packaging recycling is not something which one area of the value chain can do by itself. It needs the help and support of everyone in the value chain. All companies have the opportunity to make a contribution which collectively will help improve plastic packaging recycling.

What do I have to do as a PIRAP supporter?

As a PIRAP supporter you are agreeing to explore how you can contribute to increasing plastic packaging recycling. The action plan suggests some areas you can look at but you may identify others relevant to your sector.

PIRAP has working groups who are looking at particular barriers which prevent plastic packaging from being recycled. As a supporter you can choose to get involved in these.

What has been achieved since PIRAP started

In 2013 325,945 tonnes of plastic bottles were collected for recycling and 138,488 tonnes of pots, tubs and trays [1]. In 2016 343,330 tonnes of plastic bottles were collected for recycling and 169,145 tonnes of pots, tubs and trays [2].
Overall plastic packaging collected for recycling has increased from 464,433 tonnes in 2013 to 512,475 tonnes in 2016 [1] [2].
The number of local authorities collecting pots, tubs and trays has increased from 271 (67%) to 290 (74%) [1] [2].

Recycling Best Practice Newsletter

The PIRAP newsletter helps share best practice and also provides industry updates. PIRAP supporters are welcome to share case studies on work they are doing through the newsletter.

Copies of the newsletter are available below: