WASTE FACTS

The world's annual consumption of plastic materials has increased from around 5 million tonnes in the 1950s to nearly 100 million tonnes today. The amount of plastic waste generated annually in the UK is estimated to be nearly 3 million tonnes. An estimated 56% of all plastics waste is used packaging, three-quarters of which are collected from households. It is estimated that only 7% of total plastic waste arisings are currently being recycled. Plastics consumption is growing about 4% every year in western Europe. The disposal of plastics products also contributes significantly to their environmental impact. Because most plastics are non-degradable, they take a long time to break down, often several hundred years, when they are landfilled. With more and more plastics products, particularly plastics packaging, being disposed of soon after their purchase, the landfill space required by plastics waste is a growing concern. Plastic waste, such as plastic bags, often becomes litter. For example, 60% of litter found on beaches in 1999 was plastic. Currently 80% of post-consumer plastic waste is sent to landfill, 8% is incinerated and only 7% is recycled. Every year, an estimated 17½ billion plastic bags are given away by supermarkets. This is equivalent to over 280 bags for every person in the UK.

LATEST NEWS

14.11.07

Announcement

Bioplast Limited are pleased to announce that recently submitted tender for the supply of BIOPLAST Branded Bio-degradable Garbage Bags to Carrefour SA in Turkey has been successful and this new environmentally friendly Biotechnology has been introduced to the Turkish consumer for the first time and have been available in all Carrefour SA Stores throughout Turkey from 23 January 2008.

In fact that the World’s second biggest and the Europe’s biggest retailer is now introducing the use of Bio-degradable plastic products to their customers is evidence of their sincere concern for the environment and its commitment to tackling the considerable problem of plastic waste.