SUCCESS IN A BOTTLE
Enviroo was established in 2018 to help combat the UK’s plastic packaging and waste problem. With the development of the company’s bottle-to-bottle recycling facility well underway, CEO Ahmed Detta discussed the latest developments, during an in-depth interview with Inside Sustainability. Report by Imogen Ward.
Recycling expert Enviroo is on a mission to make a difference to the management of waste within the UK, and it has been ever since it was established six years ago.
“Enviroo is fully focused on addressing the plastic packaging challenges within the food and beverage sector,” explained CEO Ahmed Detta. “We have spent the last five years completing research and development to create what will be the purest form of recycled polymer on the market. In order to achieve this though, we had to design a recycling facility that could deal with the variances of this unstandardised, inefficient industry.”
Relying on a more circular approach to plastic recycling, the minds behind Enviroo took it upon themselves to develop a viable method that could recycle 100% PET plastic waste in order to create food-grade polymers perfect for food packaging and drinks bottles.
The process
Once fully operational, the company’s highly advanced system will wash and segregate all of the waste taken in by Enviroo, before turning it into flakes that are extruded into a new food-grade polymer. From here, the polymer is ready to be transformed back into packaging, ensuring that none of the plastic waste is sent to landfill.
“Currently, 50 per cent of our waste is being exported to other countries as there is a huge lack of recycling infrastructure within the UK,” said Mr Detta. “Unsurprisingly, the UK is also still the number one worst country within Europe for recycling rates, and we want to change that.”
Enviroo has dedicated a lot of time to sampling and testing its waste polymer within laboratory settings to ensure it withstands varying environmental conditions and meets the needs and expectations of different brands in the market.
As a result, it has taken longer to bring both the recycling process and polymer to the market. However, according to Mr Detta, this is beneficial as it increases the longevity of the technological solutions and reduces the likelihood of needing any future upgrades.
The plant
Enviroo’s new recycling plant is expected to be operational in 2026, with an initial annual recycling capacity of 30,000 tonnes of waste plastic. Utilising state-of-the-art technology and its circular approach to plastics recycling, the facility is expected to produce around 18,000 tonnes of polymer per year.
“Ultimately, our aim is to create the most advanced recycling facility in the UK for PET plastic, which can be used as an operational
blueprint for future projects,” explained Mr Detta. “We intend to take that model and upscale it both nationally and internationally.”
The facility has been reversed engineered to ensure it accepts different waste compositions. It has also been designed to feature a highly advanced wastewater treatment facility. Given the nature of Enviroo’s recycling process, this is a necessary step to reduce excess water consumption.
“Our system captures microplastics and filters them out of the water,” continued Mr Detta. “This water is then recirculated multiple times, before it is discharged back into the waterways in a cleaner condition than when it arrived.
“From a water resource perspective, we expect this plant to be one of the most efficient in the country.”
The recycling plant will also utilise laser scanning technology, which alerts to (and removes) any contaminants in the polymer.
“Occasionally, contaminants such as PVC and other materials end up in the flake, which can’t be seen by the naked eye,” Mr Detta explained. “The laser technology scans all of the material and removes any unwanted debris, ensuring we are only left with pure polymer.”
Once the plant is up and running, Enviroo also intends to introduce bottle collection programmes that could have a positive impact on local communities. One such initiative would include helping to rehabilitate and employ rough sleepers.
The partnerships
All of Enviroo’s plans have been implemented with the aid of local suppliers and partners to help support the local economy and
minimise carbon emissions. From contractors to consultancy firms and materials suppliers, Enviroo works with companies that know the area and can use local knowledge and practices to make sure its facility aligns with regional and council expectations.
“Working with local partners helps establish our reputation as a regional business,” explained Mr Detta. “We want to actively contribute to our community, and this is one way of doing that. We also intend to employ people from within the region. Once successful, this model can be replicated in other facilities across the globe.”
Enviroo intends to start a recruitment drive in June of next year, ready for when the plant is commissioned in the months following. All going well, once the new plant is operational, the company hopes to implement a deposit return scheme with government backing. If successful, this could help completely
transform the way the UK handles its packaging waste.
“I have always been driven to help make a difference in the industry, and while being a part of Enviroo, that ambition has become
a reality,” said Mr Detta, in conclusion. “Capitalism without payback is a concept I have always struggled with, but this job allows me to give back while making money. It’s a win-win situation that everyone benefits from.
“It is also important to remember, however, that one facility isn’t going to be enough to fix the system. People tend to turn a blind eye to the UK’s plastics crisis – perhaps because it is no longer headline news – but it is still a prevalent issue. And it’s one that won’t go away until enough infrastructure is in place to resolve it. Bringing awareness to that fact is incredibly important.”
