News

Successful trials for large-scale commercial recycling for compostables

As foodservice shifts to more disposables for hygiene, we were delighted to take part in a trial as part of a new composting partnership.

Composting collaboration

Recycling company, Paper Round have partnered up with Vegware, to launch the dedicated compostable packaging collection service. This builds on the learnings from a successful 12-month trial that included bartlett mitchell.

Paper Round’s new service collects Vegware’s compostable packaging as a separate waste stream. It is sent to an in-vessel composting facility, enVar, in Cambridgeshire where it takes 7 weeks to transform into compost. The compost is used in agriculture, horticulture and landscaping.

Education boosts engagement

There is also a focus on educating businesses on compostables and best practice recycling which the pilot found was key to success. Leftover food residues are accepted. Contamination from other recyclables and waste must be minimised to meet composting requirements. The compost enVar produces is compliant with the PAS100 quality specification. Quality is checked by Paper Round with regular audits.

Results

Bill Swan, Paper Round’s Managing Director added, “We are excited to launch this new product after successful trials with several Vegware . Our trials uncovered the importance of engagement and education to keep contamination levels low. Before launching a composting service, we wanted to make sure that we had a system that would deliver a viable waste stream for processors. After testing with a range of customer types we are confident that this is possible.”

Vegware’s Environmental and Communications Director Lucy Frankel said: “Caterers can only return to work with a major focus on safety and distancing. Disposables are in greater demand than ever, and sustainability is still paramount. We share Paper Round’s focus on quality source segregation and are pleased to see clients engaging with this issue. We are proud to launch this new composting solution”.

Andy Sibley, Managing Director of enVar Composting Ltd received the waste from the trial scheme: “I am pleased with the way Vegware’s products work through enVar’s composting process. The quality of the material we have received is good. By working together we can continue to reduce contamination through this exciting new waste stream.”

“We are pleased that the trial has been a success and there is now a solution to process compostable Vegware waste in a closed-loop. As a result composting will now be available to all our London business.

We are anticipating an increase in the use of disposables as a result of CVD-19. And we will look for ways we can to mitigate any environmental impact of this. We want to engage more clients to convert their waste streams to this compostable solution.”
Steve Fox, Purchasing Director, bartlett mitchell

If you want to explore how this composting system can be implemented in your site please contact our Purchasing Director, Steve Fox.