WEEE…Driving Demand For Recycling Firm January 13, 2010 As one of the largest plastics recycling companies in the south of England, Associated Polymer Resources (APR) is finding growing demand for its services - particularly from the Environment Agency which is "asking us to do more and more", said managing director Ron Wilkinson. Established in 1988, the company processes a wide range of plastic products for customers throughout the UK. Industry currently accounts for around 90% of the business, but handling household or ‘post consumer' waste is a significant growth area as Local Authorities seek to reduce the carbon footprint. "It is increasingly difficult and costly to send waste to landfill sites as well as environmentally undesirable", said Mr Wilkinson. "For example, the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive aims to reduce the amount of material going to landfill and we have been working with companies in this field to help recycle plastic components". Plastic waste is processed at APR's site in Eastleigh, Hampshire, using a Weima WLK12-55kW Universal Shredder. This precision and heavy-duty machine is designed for shredding a wide range of materials, including rigid plastics, plastic films and fibrous material as well as textiles, paper, cardboard and rubber. It is fully enclosed and features various devices to prevent access to the working parts during operation. "I wouldn't use anything else", said Mr Wilkinson. "It's the best machine of its type - the ‘Rolls Royce' of shredders - and the expertise, help and support from Malcolm Fletcher and his team at Weima UK is first class. "By using the latest process equipment we can turn waste into a range of quality products - in granulated or briquette form - for applications where virgin material is not needed and manufacturers can benefit from the saving of paying around £300/tonne compared with £800/tonne for virgin product". Applications for which APR supplies material range from plant pots to underground pipes for carrying digital cables. With increasing demand from its traditional industrial base and a strong and growing market for recycling household waste, APR is expanding to larger premises and has invested heavily in additional equipment. SOURCE: Associated Polymer Resources