Closed Loop Innovations for Broadening Recycling across London : Closed Loop Innovations for Broadening Recycling across London Lisa Miall Project Manager, London Remade


Aim of session: Aim of session Section 1: Transport for London - The Mayor’s Green Procurement Code in Action Highlights the importance of procurement in the recycling loop Section 2: ‘Closed Loop’ packaging recycling from venues and public places including case studies on the Brit Oval and Frieze Art Fair Managing the anticipated Olympic Games waste streams Applying the above presentations beyond packaging – other closed loop materials Q & A session: Stakeholder participation to lever Games preparation for improved and broadened recycling across London


London Remade: London Remade London Remade drives material resource efficiency in the capital, by increasing demand for recycled material through the development of collections, reprocessing, remanufacture and procurement


London Remade Programmes: London Remade Programmes Mayor’s Green Procurement Code: Identify opportunities to recycle waste and buy products manufactured from recycled materials Closed Loop Project: To encourage retailers and vendors to use recycled or recyclable packaging; Provide easy access to recycling bins for their consumers/customers


What is Closed Loop recycling?: What is Closed Loop recycling? Selling recycled products back to those who used them the first time around i.e. purchasing to ‘close the loop’ ‘You’re not recycling until you buy recycled’ Providing usable recycling systems for collection of material.


Slide6: Section 1 Transport for London – The Mayor’s Green Procurement Code in Action


Slide7: Section 2 The Closed Loop packaging project Managing the anticipated Olympic Games waste streams Beyond packaging – other closed loop materials


Closed Loop Project: Closed Loop Project Closed Loop recycling is an innovative new concept focusing on sustainable packaging for the food and beverage industry. A two year project funded by Landfill Tax Credits to: promote ‘closing the recycling loop’ of packaging materials; run food and beverage packaging recycling trials; help partners to develop recycled content packaging and generate demand for such products.


Closed Loop project: Closed Loop project The concept is particularly effective when put into practice at catered venues and large scale events. Based on Sydney Olympics 2000 catering and recycling system delivered by Visy Australia (77% recycling rate). We teamed up with Closed Loop London, a subsidiary of Visy Australia, to deliver this project.


Packaging from venues & public places – ‘Closed Loop’: Packaging from venues & public places – ‘Closed Loop’ Recyclable & recycled packaging input + effective recycling system = material for reprocessing into new products. London Remade trialed ‘closed loop’ systems at three events in London in 2004-05 which featured in the successful Games 2012 bid book – recycling rates over 80%


Case study - Brit Oval: Case study - Brit Oval June One Day match and August Test Match. Full capacity of 23,000 persons each match. Two stream recycling system (mixed + glass). Main packaging compliant – PET cups, paper based cup holders and food containers. Recycling rates of 40% and 50% respectively. Second match had greater staff buy-in.


Case Study - Brit Oval: Case Study - Brit Oval


Case Study - Frieze Art Fair: Case Study - Frieze Art Fair Regents Park, 47,000 visitors over 5 days Two stream recycling system (mixed + glass). Compliant packaging only in café stalls. 21.9 tonnes of waste of which 56.6% was recycled. This was a 47% increase on the previous year due to committed contractors and service providers.


Case Study - Frieze Art Fair: Case Study - Frieze Art Fair


Marks & Spencer: Marks & Spencer Closed Loop London and M&S won two awards for ground breaking work using recycled content and fully recyclable food and drink packaging in their ‘Food to Go’ takeaway ranges. Pursuing further opps with other brand owners such as Pret A Manger involving ‘office lunch’ packaging and recycling


Marks & Spencer: Marks & Spencer


Barriers/Issues: Barriers/Issues Stakeholder participation & barriers: No manufacturers of recycled content food packaging in UK (plastic plant under construction) Food grade requirements (FDA, EU) must be met. Packaging suppliers and caterers are not aware of the waste industry’s sorting and recycling capabilities eg plastics vary


Barriers/Issues: Barriers/Issues Food packaging must be composted in an in-vessel system to meet Animal By-Product Laws – there is little collection of food/packaging waste & not enough in-vessel composting capacity. Any biodegradable packaging for composting must comply with one of the relevant standards BS EN 13432 or ASTM D6400.


Managing the Anticipated Waste Streams: Managing the Anticipated Waste Streams 17 day event. Output scale: Main stadium – 80,000 seats, reconfigured to 25,000 following games 132,000 cups of tea/coffee Broadcast & press centre floor area greater than Canary Wharf tower 23,000 competitors and officials


Managing the Anticipated Waste Streams: Managing the Anticipated Waste Streams Design and purchasing to reduce waste and ensure recyclability. Purchasing recycled content and sustainable products to minimise resource use/’eco-footprint’. Effectively reuse or recycle waste. Linking inputs with available reprocessing capacity.


Other ‘Closed Loop’ materials?: Other ‘Closed Loop’ materials? Concept could be applied to other products eg: Office accessories and furniture Temporary public bins and outdoor furniture Carpet Timber, chipboard, steel, concrete, plastics Facia boards and signage, banners Merchandise, uniforms and printed programmes


Managing the anticipated waste streams: Managing the anticipated waste streams Plastic packaging – bubble wrap, shrink-wrap, polystyrene, food packaging Cardboard packaging Paper and promotional literature Carpet and fabrics Wood – MDF, chipboard, pallets Plastic Wiring, cables and electrics Metal – banding, stand structures, nails, screws, drinks cans Signage and off cuts from signage Paints and thinners Batteries from scanners and portable equipment Catering wastes, food packaging and food scraps


Q&A and Workshop Questions: Q&A and Workshop Questions 1. What type of programmes should be set up for which sectors to ensure minimal waste and effective recycling for the Games? 2.What recycling services and infrastructure desperately need to be improved in London to ensure minimal waste from the Games is wasted to landfill? What are the issues or barriers?