The UK Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has revealed its latest project will be to develop recycled polypropylene (PP) that can be used in food packaging.
According to WRAP, the project will aim to reduce the dependence on PP in the manufacture of food packaging. It will also help divert waste from landfill and boost the UK market for recycled PP.
Polypropylene is the third most common polymer found in household waste in the UK after high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
One of the challenges of developing a food grade recycling process for PP, according to WRAP, is to develop a cleaning system that removes low volatile contaminants. Existing processes used to clean HDPE, which has similar properties to PP, are inefficient. An improved label and ink removal system is also required for the food grade recycling process.
Head of Sector Specialists Paul Davidson at WRAP said the potential benefits of using recycled food grade PP were “huge” for the food packaging industry.
“WRAP is committed to working with partners to achieve food grade PP,” he said.
“This has been technically challenging to date but I believe a huge amount has been learned that will benefit the industry going forward.”
Source : www.worldscrap.com
