Recycled polythene bags, sacks and film

What is recycled polythene made from?

Recycled polythene is made from plastic that has already been used, then collected, sorted, cleaned and reprocessed into pellets that go back through an extruder. Post-consumer waste comes from material that has been through the public waste stream. Post-industrial waste comes from offcuts and trim generated inside manufacturing, which tends to be cleaner and more predictable because its history is known.

We manufacture recycled products at our Blackburn factory, including refuse sacks produced using post-consumer waste. Because we extrude the film as well as convert it, the recycled content is built into the material itself rather than bought in as finished stock.

How much recycled content can I have?

The proportion of recycled content in a polythene product is a specification choice, and it is one of the properties we tune alongside strength, elasticity, slip, stiffness and thickness. Some products carry a high proportion comfortably. Others are limited by what the pack has to do, for example where you need enough clarity to scan a barcode through the film, or a very light gauge that leaves little margin for variation in the input material.

Tell us what the pack has to survive and what recycled content you are being asked to hit. We will say honestly what is achievable at that size and gauge, and if the target is not realistic on your specification we will suggest what is.

How does recycled content relate to Plastic Packaging Tax?

UK Plastic Packaging Tax applies to plastic packaging components that do not contain at least the recycled content threshold set by HMRC, and it is charged on the weight of the packaging that falls below it. Raising the recycled content of a component above the threshold is what takes it out of scope. Rates, thresholds and registration rules change, so check the current figures on gov.uk or with your accountant rather than relying on a number quoted on a supplier website.

What we can do is manufacture to a recycled content you specify and describe what is in the material we supply, so your finance team has what it needs for its own records and returns.

How does recycled polythene perform compared with virgin film?

Recycled polythene performs close to virgin material in most packing applications, and the difference a warehouse notices is usually appearance rather than strength. Recycled film tends to look greyer or hazier, and colour can vary slightly between batches because the input material varies. Where a pack has to look pristine or be seen through clearly that matters. On a refuse sack, a pallet cover or a transit bag it usually does not.

Strength is managed through the specification. If a recycled grade needs a slightly heavier gauge or a different blend to match the performance you had before, we will quote it that way at the start rather than let you find out on the line.

Common applications for recycled polythene products

• Refuse sacks and bin liners for councils and contract cleaners
• Pallet covers and transit protection in warehousing
• E-commerce and mail order despatch bags
• Construction sites and site waste
• Retail and distribution centre packing
• Factory and production line packing
• Facilities management and cleaning suppliers
• Agriculture and horticulture

Questions

Recycled polythene products FAQs

Does recycled polythene look different to virgin film?

Usually yes. Recycled film tends to be greyer or hazier than virgin polythene, and the shade can vary a little between batches because the incoming material varies. On black, grey and printed products that is rarely noticeable. If you need consistent clarity or a close colour match on every run, say so at enquiry stage and we will advise what recycled content is realistic.

Can recycled polythene bags be printed?

Yes. We print recycled bags, sacks and film to your artwork. Print reproduces more cleanly on lighter and more consistent grades, so on a heavily recycled dark film we may suggest a simpler design or fewer colours. Send the artwork with your enquiry and we will confirm what will print well on the material you want.

Can recycled polythene be recycled again?

Polythene made from recycled material can generally go through the same recycling routes as conventional polythene, provided it is kept clean, dry and separate from other materials. What actually happens depends on the collection scheme where the pack ends up rather than on the film itself. If the pack has to suit a specific back of store or kerbside route, tell us and we will keep the specification single material and simple.

Will switching to recycled polythene reduce my Plastic Packaging Tax?

It can, because raising recycled content above the threshold set by HMRC takes a plastic packaging component out of scope of the tax. Rates, thresholds and reporting rules change, so check the current position on gov.uk or with your accountant. We will manufacture to the recycled content you specify and tell you what is in the material we supply.