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Macfarlane Packaging has announced that it has replaced its existing blown hand-applied stretch wrap with a film containing a minimum of 30% recycled material.
The inclusion of recycled content reduces the amount of virgin material used in the manufacturing process, and the change will apply to Macfarlane’s stock lines of heavy, super heavy, and extra heavy blown films.
According to the company, this puts its stretch wrap in line with the proposed UK plastic tax, scheduled to begin in April 2022. The legislation aims to invigorate the UK recycling industry by stipulating that plastic packaging must contain a minimum of 30% recycled content - products that don't will be subject to taxation of £200 per tonne.
In July 2020, Macfarlane Packaging also announced that its stock of small, medium, and large bubble wrap lines was replaced with Sealed Air AirCap bubble wrap which contains a minimum of 50% recycled material. The company says that this change has already removed over 100 tonnes of virgin plastic material from its supply chain.
Laurel Granville, marketing manager, said: “We are committed to helping our customers reduce their impact on the environment. With this in mind, we are constantly reviewing our products and services to reduce material waste and improve recyclability.
The addition of a 30% recycled content stretch film to our portfolio further widens our sustainable product range. We estimate that this change will remove a further 250 tonnes of virgin material from the supply chain. Customers now have a wider choice of packaging solutions to ensure compliance to the UK plastic tax in 2022.”
