Recycler and waste management provider Biffa (High Wycombe / UK; www.biffa.co.uk) has announced a sustainability strategy that includes investments of around GBP 1.25 bn (EUR 1.35 bn) and a quadrupling of plastics recycling. The group plans to improve recycling and recovery capacity across the UK over the next 10 years, under its “Resourceful, Responsible” strategy. Other targets include a 50% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, developing waste-to-energy infrastructure and transitioning to electric collection vehicles.

In February 2020, Biffa partnered with dairy company Müller UK (Market Drayton / UK; www.muller.co.uk) on food-grade recycled HDPE for milk bottles. Biffa said it has enabled Müller UK to use up to 40% recycled plastic in its bottles. The rHDPE will be produced at Biffa’s plant in Redcar / UK. Earlier this year, the UK waste management group also opened a new PET bottle recycling facility in Seaham / UK with a capacity of around 57,000 t/y – see Plasteurope.com of 05.02.2020.

During the coronavirus situation in the UK, Biffa said it would continue to operate “as normally as possible,” although it could have to make some changes to its services. Waste collection is typically categorised as an essential service in and outside the UK.