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https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000m82cWar on Plastic with Hugh and Anita - the Fight Goes On.Four days left I think and worth watching if you didn't see it the first time round.  There is info on the OPRL system which is the info system re recycling on packaging which is now being run by a different outfit.  It's great to see some bread wrappers now marked with larger info.There is also a lot of info in the current Which magazine.www.recyclenow.com has info on what plastics can go into the carrier bag collection points at larger supermarkets.  We have been told not to put plastic carrier bags and plastic film in our recycling bins.  Remember to peel the thin film lids right off hard plastic tubs - ditch the film and recycle the tubs.Sorting is costly and there is a lot of sorting.  It depends on what you consider recycling is. I think it is turning the plastic back into plastic as has been achieved with the plastic milk bottles.  I don't consider energy from waste EfW to be recycling. Don't forget the original mantra:  Reduce Reuse Recycle.Say 'no' to carriers, avoid as much plastic as possible, reuse what you can and I've even known people to repair by patching with sellotape the longer life thicker carrier bags!  There was a problem with the optical sorting of black plastic and possibly still is - the thing is that machinery changes and packaging changes.  After a big fuss in the press supermarkets made an effort to avoid using it.  There are plastic bottles which have plastic covers on them and these should be removed as the optical sorters can't read the plastic the bottles are made out of otherwise.Looking forward to more plastic containers being made out of recycled plastic content!  I read that Coca Cola bottles are now being made out of 50% recycled plastic.What is left isn't supposed to go to landfill but EfW now but that is expensive.  It's good for the recycling league tables but those need overhauling.There is plastic bag (stretchy plastic) recycling at Morrisons and Sainsburys  Chiswick.  Haven't been anywhere else for it.

Philippa Bond ● 1676d