Omar Khalid
Games Workshop is a company that creates franchises such as Warhammer 40k, which features a far-future setting and a range of products including miniatures, video games, board games, and books. Amid growing concerns about plastic pollution, there has been an increasing push for Games Workshop to implement more sustainable practices and provide recycling options for its plastic products. The company has responded to these calls by introducing a recycling scheme for its Warhammer plastic kits, including sprues, paint pots, and models, in partnership with TerraCycle. This development has been well-received by environmentally conscious customers. However, challenges remain, including the difficulty of recycling certain plastics and the limited scope of the current scheme, which only accepts specific Games Workshop products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclable | Polystyrene plastic used by Games Workshop is generally not recyclable. |
| Recycling method | Customers can drop off their old sprues, empty paint pots, and old models in Warhammer stores. |
| Recycling partner | TerraCycle |
| Recycling process | Shredding, washing, separation, drying, compounding, and pelletizing into plastic granules. |
| Recycled products | Garden planters, playground equipment, table tennis tables, polystyrene pallets, thermal insulation for window profiles, light switches, rulers, vents, shipping containers, clothes hangers. |
| Expansion plans | If the UK trial is successful, Games Workshop plans to expand the scheme to other territories. |
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What You'll Learn
- Warhammer sprues can be recycled at certain Warhammer stores
- Games Workshop is investigating ways to recycle old sprues into new models
- Polystyrene is generally not recyclable, but some facilities do exist
- The Warhammer Recycling Programme is a free service
- The plastic used in Warhammer kits is of high quality and purity
Warhammer sprues can be recycled at certain Warhammer stores
The Warhammer Free Recycling Programme only accepts Citadel miniatures and sprues, as well as empty Citadel Colour paint pots, due to the known chemical composition of these materials. The scheme cannot recycle metal or resin miniatures or non-Games Workshop plastic items, as the chemical composition of this plastic is less known. The plastic used in Citadel miniatures is of very high quality and purity, making it suitable for various applications, such as garden planters, playground equipment, and table tennis tables.
While the initial trial began in a small number of UK stores, there were over 25 stores participating, and if successful, Games Workshop intends to expand the scheme into other territories. TerraCycle operates in 21 countries and has expressed interest in supporting the expansion of the programme. This recycling initiative has been well-received by Warhammer enthusiasts, who are environmentally conscious and want to contribute to the planet's well-being.
It is important to note that this in-store recycling programme is not the only option for recycling Warhammer sprues. Some hobbyists have suggested saving waste sprues to test new painting schemes, using them for basing, or recycling them at local facilities that accept the specific type of plastic used by Games Workshop. However, polystyrene, a common plastic used in miniatures, is generally not recyclable through local programmes and must be transported to centralised plants, increasing costs and reducing the incentive to recycle.
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Games Workshop is investigating ways to recycle old sprues into new models
Games Workshop has been facing pressure to address the recyclability of its plastic products, particularly in the face of the global plastic pollution crisis. In 2021, a petition on Change.org with almost 11,000 signatures urged the company to find ways to reuse or recycle their plastic sprues.
In response, Games Workshop has launched a recycling programme in partnership with TerraCycle, a company that specialises in recycling hard-to-recycle waste. The Warhammer Recycling Programme allows customers to bring their waste plastic sprues, paint pots, and old models to participating Warhammer stores, where they are collected and sent to TerraCycle's 'Materials Recovery Facility' in the North West of England. Here, the plastic waste is processed through shredding, washing, separation, drying, and pelletisation into plastic granules, which are then sold to other companies for manufacturing recycled plastic products.
While this initiative is a positive step towards sustainability, it is important to note that the recycled plastic from Games Workshop products is not currently being used to create new models. The high-quality and purity of the plastic used in Citadel miniatures, for instance, lend themselves to various applications such as garden planters, playground equipment, and table tennis tables. However, Games Workshop has expressed interest in exploring the possibility of turning recycled sprues into new models in the future.
In the meantime, Games Workshop is investigating ways to recycle old sprues into new materials and products. The company has acknowledged the importance of sustainability and is committed to finding solutions that reduce waste and promote environmental well-being. This includes working with partners like TerraCycle to develop innovative recycling methods and potentially expand their recycling programme to other territories.
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Polystyrene is generally not recyclable, but some facilities do exist
Games Workshop, the creator of the Warhammer 40k franchise, has been facing increasing pressure to address the recyclability of its plastic products. In 2021, a petition with almost 11,000 signatures urged the company to start reusing or recycling its plastic sprues, which are difficult to recycle due to the high-temperature plastics used in their manufacturing.
While polystyrene is generally not accepted in local recycling programs, some specialized facilities do exist that can process it. For instance, Games Workshop has partnered with TerraCycle to launch a trial recycling scheme in select Warhammer stores across the UK, allowing customers to recycle their plastic sprues, empty paint pots, and old models. This initiative addresses the challenge of recycling high-temperature plastics and ensures that the chemical composition of the recycled materials is known.
The collected Warhammer plastics are sent to TerraCycle's Materials Recovery Facility in the North West of England, where they undergo shredding, washing, separation, and processing into plastic granules. These granules are then sold to manufacturers to create new recycled plastic products. Examples of such products include playground equipment, garden planters, polystyrene pallets, thermal insulation, light switches, and shipping containers.
However, it is important to note that the recycling process for Warhammer plastics is complex, and the recycled materials may not be suitable for creating new models. Games Workshop is investigating the possibility of using recycled plastics for new models in the future, but for now, the recycled content finds applications in various other products.
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The Warhammer Recycling Programme is a free service
To participate in the Warhammer Recycling Programme, customers can simply drop off their empty paint pots, sprues, and miniatures at participating Warhammer stores. No TerraCycle account or shipping label is required, and the service is completely free. The collected waste will be sent to TerraCycle's 'Materials Recovery Facility' in the North West of England for processing. This includes shredding, washing, separation, drying, and pelletising the plastic into granules that can be sold to other companies for manufacturing recycled plastic products.
The Warhammer Recycling Programme is a response to the growing concern over plastic pollution and the desire for Games Workshop to address the issue of sustainability. The programme provides a convenient and environmentally friendly way for hobbyists to recycle their Warhammer waste, which is often made of high-temperature plastics that can be challenging to recycle through local systems.
It is important to note that the Warhammer Recycling Programme only accepts Warhammer-branded items with known chemical compositions, specifically Citadel miniatures, sprues, and Citadel Colour paint pots. Non-Games Workshop plastic items, metal miniatures, and resin miniatures are not accepted at this stage due to the uncertainty of their chemical composition. However, the recycled material from Citadel miniatures has a wide range of uses, including garden planters, playground equipment, and table tennis tables.
The Warhammer Recycling Programme offers a great opportunity for environmentally conscious Warhammer enthusiasts to contribute to the planet's well-being while also driving players to store locations. With the success of the trial, there is potential for expansion and further investigation into reusing recycled materials for new models.
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The plastic used in Warhammer kits is of high quality and purity
The plastic used in Warhammer kits, specifically the Citadel miniatures, is of high quality and purity. This means that the recycled material can be used elsewhere in the plastic chain. For example, the plastic can be used for garden planters, playground equipment, rubbish bins, or even table tennis tables.
The Warhammer Recycling Programme, in partnership with TerraCycle, allows Warhammer enthusiasts to recycle their old sprues, paint pots, and unwanted plastic miniatures. The programme was launched in 2023 in select Warhammer stores in the UK, with plans to expand to other territories if successful.
The process involves customers dropping off their recycling in branded collection bins in stores. The recycling is then sent to TerraCycle's 'Materials Recovery Facility' in the North West of England for processing. This includes shredding, washing, separation, drying, and pelletising the plastic into granules. These granules are then sold to other companies to manufacture recycled plastic products.
The plastic used in Warhammer kits is of a high enough quality that it can be recycled into new materials and products. However, it is challenging to recycle this plastic independently as it requires specialised facilities with the correct equipment. This challenge has prompted calls for Games Workshop to take more responsibility for recycling their products.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Games Workshop has launched a recycling programme for Warhammer plastic miniatures, sprues, and paint pots. The programme is currently available in select Warhammer stores in the UK, with plans to expand to other territories if successful.
The recycled plastic is sent to TerraCycle's 'Materials Recovery Facility' in the North West of England, where it is processed through shredding, washing, and separation. Once dried, it is compounded and pelletised into plastic granules, which are then sold to other companies for manufacturing recycled plastic products.
You can recycle your Games Workshop plastic at participating Warhammer stores in the UK. Look for the branded collection bins or special green collection bins in stores.
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