O2 UK is partnering with TerraCycle, a global leader in hard-to-recycle waste to roll out recycling boxes to O2 stores across the UK.
With over a billion items of PPE distributed across the UK in the early months of the pandemic, and additional volumes expected as the retail sector reopens for business, O2 has taken proactive steps to manage this new waste stream to ensure that PPE plastics can be safely collected, cleaned and recycled to produce new plastic products.
TerraCycle offers a wide range of Zero Waste Box solutions to businesses, which are easily accessible recycling solutions for any previously non-recyclable products and packaging. Employees collect the various waste streams, including PPE, using the designated Zero Waste Box, seal the box and send it back to TerraCycle. When TerraCycle receives the Zero Waste Box for recycling, the material is aggregated before being cleaned, shredded and melted into pellets which can be remoulded and used in the manufacture of new products such as outdoor furniture, decking, storage containers and watering cans, reducing the need to create new virgin plastics.
Tracey Herald, Head of Partnership & Social Impact, O2
With billions of items of PPE now in circulation, it’s easy to see why environment and conservation experts are sounding the alarm. That’s why we’re delighted to announce our partnership with TerraCycle, which will ensure the PPE keeping our customers and employees safe in stores is responsibly recycled.
Stephen Clarke, Head of Communications, TerraCycle Europe
That’s why we’re proud to be taking a leadership role with O2 in safely and responsibly recycling the PPE used across their retail estate in the UK. We would encourage more retailers to work with us and to follow the example O2 is setting.
