Managing Innovation, Design and Creativity

Chapter 17. Innovation for the environment

CASE STUDY 6: PLASWOOD BY DUMFRIES RECYCLING^[60]

Plastics recycling and recyclate is good for the environment and good for business. Recycled material is a largely untapped resource. It is an additional resource stream waiting to be exploited by Industry and an opportunity which many businesses are currently missing out on.

—Rt Hon Michael Meacher MP, Minister for the Environment during a conference on recycled plastics, London, 6 March 2000

Invest or sell?

British Polythene Industries (bpi) PLC, of which Dumfries Plastic Recycling (DPR) is a 100%-owned subsidiary, have always placed strong emphasis on recycling. In fact, in 1999 about 25% of the company's £452 million turnover came from recycled products, £5 million of which are contributed by the products manufactured and sold through DPR. Cameron McLatchie, Chairman and Chief Executive, declares on the company website, "As the leading manufacturer of Polythene Film Products in the UK we accept that we have a responsibility to manufacture products which meet recognised environmental criteria, and to produce them in a way that fully meets our social commitments." With its business being in the manufacturing and selling of polythene products – primarily thin materials such as films, plastic bags and wrapping materials – McLatchie had recognised the need to recycle plastic early on.

Approximately 60% of total plastic waste is packaging which typically has a 'life' of less than 23 months.

In the ...