The HTA has launched a Recycling Scheme for its members that will enable responsible recycling of plastic and other waste, and enhance green credentials.
Partnering with Ecogen, based in Winchester, the scheme will provide a cost-saving solution by reducing the need for skips, and the amount of waste going to landfill. For those with the ability to accumulate volume, ideally through bailing, it could provide a source of income. Ecogen, who is fully accredited, registered and licensed in all aspects of specialist waste recycling, works with garden centres and wholesale nurseries across the country.
Solutions include:
The small volume solution, where members collect plastic trays and pots from their own use and stack onto a pallet (up to 2 m high and shrink wrapped). Ecogen picks up the pallets (minimum uplift of one pallet) for which the business is charged a set haulage fee (depending on geographical location).
The stockpile solution for members able to collect and store larger volumes of recyclable materials (hard plastics, cardboard and plastic wrap). When haulage costs are taken off, there may be a surplus depending on volume, waste type and site location.
Bailing is the most effective way of returning the greatest volume of waste to Ecogen while minimalizing haulage costs. While bailers can be hired for around £15 a week, the HTA is negotiating a national deal aimed at producing a cost-effective solution for members to run alongside the plastics recycling scheme.
Martin Simmons, HTA Director of Operations comments: “Plastics and recycling have become even higher on the national agenda since the coverage on Blue Planet II showing how waste plastic impacts our natural world. Within the garden industry we do have a responsibility to recycle what we currently use, as well as develop innovative alternative solutions. This is an issue that we take very seriously as do our members and their customers. Whilst plastic recycling has been more economical for our larger members this is the first time that we have been able to offer a national recycling solution for members of all sizes.”
www.hta.org.uk/recycling