Cullen want to help business replace plastic packaging.

We’ve all heard that single-use plastic is bad for the environment, but what exactly is the problem?

• The UK alone produces 3million tonnes of new single-use plastic each year.
• Most single-use plastic, like fruit and vegetable packaging, is never recycled.
• Single-use plastic containers and trays can take up to 450 years to degrade.
• In 2030, there will be 12 billion tonnes of plastic in landfills worldwide.
• After Middle Eastern & Asian countries banned importing Western plastic waste, local authorities now have a bigger problem in disposal.
• Single-use plastic is often used in spite of viable, eco-friendly alternatives widely available.

Non-recyclable plastic offers almost no advantages post-consumer use. Landfill is a temporary solution and transporting waste out of the country costs money. Vietnam, Thailand & Malaysia no longer accept plastic for landfill and by 2030, the UK will have over 100million tonnes of plastic waste with very few places to go.

This is why major retailers and countries worldwide have introduced reforms designed to eliminate single-use plastic. Many UK supermarkets have deadlines of 2025 or earlier to drastically reduce or eliminate single use plastic packaging from shelves and supply chains. Countries in the European Union are striving to make all packaging recyclable by 2030. Now is the time to act.

 

Why is moulded pulp a great alternative to plastic?

As a manufacturer of moulded pulp, we already know it holds very similar qualities to plastic. It’s strong and flexible by design. However, it is also recyclable, compostable and biodegradable.

It doesn’t contribute to landfill, leaving no unnecessary waste. Moulded pulp is simply recycled kerbside using the local council recycling scheme or composted at home.

Even if it isn’t recycled, moulded pulp can biodegrade in 6 months. In fact, when compared to its plastic counterpart, it can biodegrade up to 449 ½ years quicker!

The raw material used to make moulded pulp is in itself, recycled. At Cullen, our closed-loop recycling system ensures off-cut waste from our corrugated factory is collated and used in the production of moulded pulp. In addition, over-issued newspaper is another raw material that brings new life to old products.

It is in this way that moulded pulp contributes to a circular economy. Our specialist team can help you replace plastic packaging and move towards a sustainable future.