WASTE PLASTICS RECYCLING A GOOD PRACTICES GUIDE

BY AND FOR LOCAL & REGIONAL AUTHORITIES

Selective Collection Costs

The costs of selective collection systems currently ranges from between 50/t (PVC windows) to
800/t (EPS). Improvements in the performance of selective collection schemes will enable the costs
of these systems to decrease. However, cost differences between schemes (kerbside collection,
neighbourhood containers and container parks) and the containment methods will still exist.
Sorting Costs
These currently range from 50/t (from the Lipor scheme) to around 200/t (HDPE bottles).
Similarly to collection costs, improvements in current technologies, and development in new automated technologies will decrease costs. It is estimated by the DSD for example, that the SORTEC
Technology will reduce sorting cost by around 30 per cent in the coming years.
Transportation Costs
These are highly dependant on local conditions, but are quoted at around 27 45/t (with the
exception of EPS, however, no disaggregated data is available for this waste plastics). It is likely that
transportation costs will increase in the future, although the increased use of compaction vehicles
may help stabilise these costs.
Pre-treatment and recycling costs
These are very much application-dependant.
Disposal of Rejects
Currently estimated at around 10-220/t the cost of disposing of rejects is likely to increase as
landfill and incineration taxes increase. However, as collection, sorting and processing technologies
become more efficient, it would be expected that the quantity of reject material decreases.
Revenues from Sorted Plastics
Revenues generated from sorted plastics is dependant on the balance between costs, the price of
recycled plastics and the avoided costs of disposal. This can range from between 150/t to 60/t
(i.e. a loss). While the amount of revenue generated is dependant on the wastes targeted and the
collection and processing methods used, it is also influenced by the market price of recycled plastic
and that of virgin plastic. This varies with the oil market price, which has dramatically increased in
recent years. Current market prices for recycled plastic bottles and films can be found at:
http://www.letsrecycle.com/plastics/prices/pricesarc01.htm
Avoided Disposal Costs
The current costs of avoided waste disposal, which ranges between 10220/t, are highly dependant
on the levels of national as well as European taxation. Avoided disposal costs of between
10-220/t can be expected and these are likely to increase with progress towards landfill and
incineration directive targets.
In conclusion, plastic recycling costs can range between 100-1600/t, yet savings and revenues
can reduce this by 50370 /t. The balance between costs and revenue is dependant on the waste
streams targeted and the methods of collection and processing employed.

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WASTE PLASTICS RECYCLING A GOOD PRACTICES GUIDE

BY AND FOR LOCAL & REGIONAL AUTHORITIES

For some waste plastics, a shortfall of between -270 and 1,650 per tonne can exist, meaning that
extra financing is needed to support plastic recycling for these flows. This situation may not persist
in the future as new technologies are employed and the pricing of recycled plastics becomes more
favourable compared to virgin material. However, while plastic recycling may be profitable in some
cases, in other the need for financial support will remain important.
Costing Case Studies
It is difficult to evaluate and compare the costs of recycling between countries because recycling
systems need to reflect local and national circumstances and these may not be directly comparable.
In addition, published data is often issued alongside a number of caveats or is accompanied with
little detail on the activities encompassed by the figures. Given this, a number of case studies are
presented for different waste plastics, detailing the costs involved on a local and national scale for
collection, sorting and processing activities. These do not provide a guide of the costs that can be
expected on a universal scale as each scheme must be developed to reflect local and regional
conditions. However, they may provide an insight as to where the main costs in collecting these
wastes will arise.
Plastic Bottles
PET and HDPE are the primary targeted polymers of plastic bottle collection schemes. The cost of
collection associated with these materials is intrinsically linked to existing recycling schemes in
place within L/RAs; kerbside collection, neighbourhood container and container parks. These show
considerable variation between countries and extracting costs for plastics from other collected
recyclables is often difficult from aggregated municipal waste data.

Fost-Plus (BE)
HDPE bottles
Fost-Plus (BE)
PET Bottles

Table 21: Cost of Activities (/tonne)

Collection
Sorting
Processing
186 - 190
195 - 200
186 - 190

195 - 200

188
350

135
150

RECOUP (UK)
PETCORE EU
Average

Transport

TOTAL

27
225

350 - 800

Collection costs remain a function of the types of schemes involved, the materials targeted and the
collection frequency. Sorting costs however will decrease as new technologies emerge.
Agricultural Films
Agricultural films are a seasonal waste flow and collection systems need to reflect this seasonal
supply and collection points can be temporary sites. The Plastretur system in Norway is
supplemented by fees paid by the producers of agricultural films; amounting to around 210/
tonne, which is set to reflect the balance between the costs of collection and recycling.
In the Plastretur system, the greatest costs concern the processing of collected material, reflecting
the washing and residual disposal activities necessary to remove contaminants, which can be
considerable.

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