Project to increase commercial plastic recycling launches in Southend

July 21, 2019 by Leigh-on-sea.com

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is pleased to announce the successful launch of a new commercial plastic recycling project. 

PlastiCity is a three year, European funded, research project that aims to increase the amount of commercial and industrial plastics recycled in the 2 Seas region – United Kingdom, Belgium, France and Netherlands. The 2 Seas region has been identified as a significant producer of commercial and industrial plastic waste.  

The project is led by the city of Ghent, Belgium, and brings together 2 Seas partners from the four countries. Southend-on-Sea is the only town in the UK to be part of the project, with University of Portsmouth assisting with research. 

The aim of the PlastiCity project is to research and develop strategies and solutions to identify, collect and process more commercial and industrial plastics. This research should provide opportunities for businesses in the 2 Seas region to increase their overall recycling rates to 50%. 

The council is now looking for ‘actors’ – local businesses, restaurants, schools, civic buildings and more – to register their interest in the project to gain support and guidance on how to recycle their plastic waste responsibly. 

Increasing the amount of plastics recycled  has the potential to benefit living conditions of more than half a million residents in the 2 Seas region by reducing the amount of plastic waste travelling through the oceans, polluting water and beaches and harming flora and fauna. 

Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “The global amount of plastic not being recycled is totally unacceptable and this strategic approach to educate and support businesses in the recycling of commercial and industrial plastics is a big step in the right direction. 

“It is a great opportunity for local businesses to become actively involved in learning more about the consequences of not recycling plastics properly and improve their own recycling rates, whilst developing the prosperity of their own environmental profile. 

“Locally, we know more can be done. It gives me great pride that we’re the only UK town involved in this project and with the University of Portsmouth assisting with research, I am sure we can inspire residents and businesses alike to get involved and focus on keeping future generations safe and well.” 

Further information about PlastiCity or to register an interest in signing up to the project, please contact PlastiCity@southend.gov.uk

Please follow the link for further information: www.interreg2seas.eu/en/PlastiCity

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