Recycling Plastic Kegs: A Guide To Sustainable Reuse And Reduction

Plastic kegs are almost 100% recyclable when empty and have the potential to be recycled with a zero-to-landfill outcome. However, the recycling process for plastic kegs can be complex and, in some cases, ineffective. To recycle plastic kegs, individuals can contact their local recycling program to understand the specific rules and guidelines for recycling this material. Some companies, such as First Mile, also offer plastic keg collection and recycling services for businesses in the hospitality sector, helping to minimize landfill waste. It is important to separate the black ends from the clear bodies of the kegs, which are then baled, palletized, and sent for processing into new plastics. While plastic kegs offer advantages such as reduced weight and ease of distribution, it is crucial to ensure they are properly recycled or returned to the place of purchase if they are refillable.

Check your local recycling program's rules

Recycling programs vary from community to community, so it's important to check the rules and guidelines for your specific local recycling program. Most recycling programs provide detailed information on their websites or distributed materials. This information can include accepted materials, any special collection events or permanent collection centers, and guidelines for preparing materials for recycling.

To check if your local recycling program accepts plastic kegs, start by inspecting the keg for recycling information. Plastic mini-kegs, for example, should have a number inside a recycling symbol, most likely the number "1". Once you have identified the type of plastic, you can refer to your local recycling program's guidelines to see if they accept that particular type of plastic.

If you are unsure, you can contact your local recycling program or solid waste authority directly. They will be able to provide specific instructions for disposing of plastic kegs in your area. Some programs may allow you to put the keg in your recycling bin for pickup, while others may require you to bring it to a designated drop-off location. It's important to follow the instructions provided by your local program to ensure proper disposal.

In addition to checking with your local recycling program, you can also inquire about recycling options at the place of purchase. Some businesses that sell these products may accept them for recycling or have information on specialized recycling programs. This is especially relevant if the plastic kegs are refillable, in which case returning them to the place of purchase is often the preferred option.

Lastly, it's worth noting that some local communities have special collection events or permanent collection centers for certain types of recyclables. Keep an eye out for such events or centers in your community, as they may provide additional options for recycling plastic kegs or other specialized items. Remember to always prepare your recyclables according to the guidelines provided by your local program to ensure safe and proper disposal.

Contact a specialist recycler

If you are unable to recycle your plastic kegs through your local recycling program, you could try contacting a specialist recycler. Specialist recyclers are companies that focus on recycling specific materials, like plastic, and often have more advanced recycling processes than your local recycling centre.

One issue with specialist recyclers is that they often only accept manufacturing waste, not "used" plastics. This means that the plastic must be super clean before they will accept it for recycling. This can be a problem, as cutting up plastic kegs is not a simple task, and can even be dangerous. If you are able to clean and cut up your plastic kegs, a specialist recycler may be an option for you.

There are a number of specialist plastic recycling companies operating in the UK, such as Plastic Expert, that you could try contacting. Plastic Expert operates an environmentally friendly recycling service and collects a range of scrap plastic and cardboard waste, including LDPE, HDPE, PP, PVC, and other waste items. They work with businesses to recycle bulk volumes of plastic waste and supply the waste to recycling plants and end-users across the UK and Europe.

Another company to try is TerraCycle, which operates in over 20 countries and recycles billions of pieces of trash through its various platforms annually. They work with organisations of all sizes to recycle hard-to-recycle waste and integrate recycled content into products and packaging. They also offer a reuse platform called Loop, which enables their partners to rethink and design out of disposability while maintaining convenience and affordability.

Use a waste collection service

If you are unable to recycle your plastic kegs using your local waste collection service, you can engage a specialist waste collection service. Specialist waste collection services are particularly useful for businesses that need to dispose of large quantities of plastic kegs responsibly, such as bars, pubs, restaurants, and the hospitality sector.

There are several specialist waste collection services that cater to plastic kegs. For example, Recorra is a commercial recycling expert that offers a closed-loop solution for businesses to reduce their environmental impact and increase recycling rates. Recorra collects plastic kegs from your kerbside, dismantles and segregates them, and then recycles them into new plastic kegs. To use the service, you must first ensure that your kegs are empty, depressurised, and labelled with a prepaid collection sticker. You can purchase these stickers from Recorra and they are colour-coded.

Another specialist waste collection service is First Mile, which is one of the leading waste management companies in London, Birmingham, and the UK. First Mile offers low-cost, reliable services, a 24/7 helpdesk, and free monthly reporting. They collect plastic beer and drinks kegs from inside your business and take them to their facility, where the kegs are crushed and baled to be remanufactured into brand new ones.

Jolly Good Beer is another waste collection service that collects KeyKegs and UniKegs (OneCircle kegs) and clear PolyKegs for a fee of £2 +VAT per keg. They separate the black ends from the clear bodies, bale and palletise them, and then send them back to the Netherlands, where they are processed into plastics that feed back into KeyKeg production.

When choosing a waste collection service, it is important to do your research and choose a reputable company that aligns with your values and goals for recycling. It is also worth considering the cost, convenience, and environmental impact of the service.

Return to the place of purchase

Returning plastic kegs to the place of purchase is a straightforward way to ensure they are properly recycled. Many retailers will have a process in place for accepting returns and will be able to direct you to the appropriate drop-off location or collection point.

When returning a plastic keg to the place of purchase, it is important to keep in mind that the keg is the property of the vendor, and returning it to a different store may result in rejection due to keg registration laws. These laws require retailers and wholesalers to attach identification tags to kegs exceeding a specified capacity, which helps to identify the owner and reduce underage drinking. Therefore, it is essential to return the keg with the ID tag intact to avoid any issues or penalties.

Before returning the plastic keg, ensure that it is empty and free of any remaining liquid. It is also a good practice to check if the manufacturer's name is stamped on the keg. If it is, you must return it to the manufacturer instead of the place of purchase. This is because breweries often label their kegs with serial numbers to track their whereabouts, and returning it to the manufacturer ensures proper tracking and reduces the risk of keg theft.

Additionally, some retailers may offer incentives for returning plastic kegs, such as in-store credit or cash. This can be a great way to encourage environmentally conscious behaviour and promote the proper disposal of plastic kegs. It is always a good idea to inquire about any potential rewards or incentives when returning plastic kegs to the place of purchase.

By returning plastic kegs to the place of purchase, individuals can play a crucial role in promoting sustainability and responsible waste management. This simple act contributes to reducing plastic waste, ensuring that plastic kegs are properly recycled or reused, and supporting a more circular economy for plastic products.

Sell as scrap metal

If your plastic kegs are made of metal, you can sell them as scrap metal. You can sell scrap metal to scrap yards, metal dealers, or recycling centres. Some scrap metal dealers may even offer a pick-up service for large items.

Before selling your plastic kegs as scrap metal, make sure they are actually made of metal. Most mini-kegs are made of aluminium or steel and will be marked as such. Plastic mini-kegs should have a number inside a recycling symbol, most likely "1".

If your kegs are indeed made of metal, you can then find a scrap metal dealer near you. You can search online for scrap metal dealers in your area, or look for local recycling centres that buy scrap metal. It is worth checking if the dealer has any special requirements for the scrap metal, such as sorting the metal by type or removing any non-metal parts.

When you have found a dealer and prepared your scrap metal, you can take it to them and negotiate a price. The price of scrap metal can vary depending on the type of metal and the current market value, so it is worth shopping around to get the best price. Some websites and apps, such as ScrapC and Scrapo, can help you connect with buyers and sellers of scrap metal and negotiate deals.

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