At a visit on the 23rd April 2014 to open a new multi million pound plastic milk bottle recycling line, Business Secretary Vince Cable cited Closed Loop Recycling as an example of companies that are stimulating demand, generating jobs and building the infrastructure for the long term development of the green economy.
The innovative Dagenham recycler, who was the first in the world to recycle both PET and HDPE plastic bottles into food grade material for new food and drink packaging, is implementing a major £12 million investment that will make Closed Loop Recycling the biggest recycler of milk bottles in the world. It will increase capacity at the Dagenham-based plant to 55,000 tonnes per annum, creating the most advanced plastics purification facility in the UK and diverting a further 30,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in the process. The company employs over 200 people and the expansion will increase its work force by a quarter.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said:
“This new recycling line will create jobs and growth in a growing green industry. The significant investment in the Dagenham plant will also mean less of our plastic bottles being sent to landfill or exported for recycling. It is precisely the sort of project which can support the UK’s transition to a green economy.”
“Closed Loop Recycling is a fantastic example of how the private investment sector has identified a ground breaking and sustainable green manufacturing technology,” further commented Dr Cable. “This type of success story will continue to provide confidence for future investment and underpin continued economic growth. Supporting robust green companies will lock in green prosperity for the long term and lock carbon out.”
Closed Loop Recycling’s Chief Executive Chris Dow discussed with Dr Cable the importance of increasing milk bottle and plastic bottle collection to meet demand. Explains Chris: “Recycled milk and water bottles are a massive win for the circular economy. We discussed with the Secretary of State and his team how we can provide economic drivers to reprocess these valuable resources in the UK, rather than being exported abroad for recycling. We can then work to influence recycling behaviour across the supply chain, from consumers to brands, in order to increase collection rates.”
Chris Dow also briefed the Secretary of State about a joint green initiative with another company based at the East London Sustainable Industries Park, TEG, a food recycler. Explains Chris: “We will be using waste heat from the TEG facility to heat our wash lines for our recycled plastic, making significant carbon and financial savings.”
Photography available: Business Secretary Vince Cable with Chris Dow, CEO, Closed Loop Recycling
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Louise Barnett: louise@intelligentprofile.com / 07713 742685
Emma Cantrill: emma@intelligentprofile.com / 07788 757377
