Paper and card recycling systems could see a 40% increase in plastic contamination over the winter months as rain turns cardboard into a “wet magnet”, DS Smith warns.
The sustainable packaging company DS Smith has warned the “sticky cardboard” problem could see over 5,000 tonnes of plastic entering the UK’s paper and card recycling system this winter.
The warning comes after record-breaking rainfall in 2024, with September being the wettest calendar month since records began.
Jonathan Scott, Technical Operations Director for DS Smith’s Kemsley Paper Mill, commented: “When materials like paper and cardboard get wet, they ‘stick’ to other items in the recycling mix, like plastics and glass, making it harder to separate materials.”
Even with the rainfall expected this winter, DS Smith said there are actions UK households can take to increase the quality of what they recycle.
DS Smith advised people to:
- Follow their local recycling guidelines.
- Keep their bin lid closed.
- If possible, store cardboard inside when it rains.
- Leave recycling to dry if it needs to be washed.
- Consider taking cardboard to their local recycling centre.
Scott added: “We know that people want to do the right thing when it comes to recycling. However, the UK system doesn’t always make things easy for households.
“One way that we can solve a lot of these contamination issues is by collecting paper and card separately from other materials, and therefore maximising how much can be recycled effectively and efficiently.”
