Plastic Recycling Scheme
July 05, 2022
Our scooping tubs account for approx. 95% of our Marshfield Farm ice cream business. The plastic used in our 5 litre, 4 litre and 2.4 litre tubs are made from PP (polypropylene) plastic that is 100% recyclable. With hundreds of thousands of tubs distributed each year, it is important that the recycling loop is complete by getting the tubs to UK recycling facilities so the plastic can be treated and reused.
Over the years, we have developed close ties with MJ Church, a local waste and recycling centre. We understand that not all traders have consistent recycling collections that can handle the speed of service, and we are therefore trialling a new scheme here on the farm, encouraging traders to recycle napoli tubs after use in their parlours by returning them back to us where we will send them to be recycled and reused.
Because of the quality and colour of the plastic, our scooping tubs are desirable for reuse: this means our plastic tubs will be collected and shredded for pellets, allowing them to be reused in the manufacturing of recycled plastic items like shampoo bottles, or in larger projects such as children’s play areas.
How it works
To keep delivery miles low, please ensure you gather together as many plastic tubs as possible in each collection. We anticipate a minimum of 30 tubs per return.
- Clean the tubs from food waste, leave to dry before packaging in a postable box.
- Email post@marshfield-icecream.co.uk with a recycling returns request. Clearly state your business address, name and how many tubs you are returning. A label will be generated and sent on email - print the label and stick onto the outer box
- The supplied details will be used to create a returns label: sending a returns request without these details with result in a delay as we enquire for further details.
- A courier will be notified to collect the package from the trade address supplied. Have the box ready for collection and repeat the steps above for future instances.
“Why do I need to wash the tubs?”
- Ice cream is a sticky business! If not thoroughly washed, left over dribbles will turn sticky and smelly quickly as the milk turns sour.
- Dirty tubs will also attract rodents.
- There may be a wait on collection of the tubs following your request, therefore ensuring the tubs are thoroughly cleaned will stop any damage to the box they are being posted in. If the outer box gets wet and damaged, the packaged may get refusal on collection.
- Contaminated plastic cannot be recycled. Food waste within recycling sorting facilities can quickly break machines. Melted ice cream will also damage other perfectly acceptable recyclable materials from being recycled if the food waste spreads within a load and contaminates a batch of recycling.
- We do not have the staff to wash tubs on your behalf. Any dirty tubs received will be returned to you or you will be fined for disposal. Multiple instances of contaminated tubs could result in refusal of future collections.
“Can you reuse plastic tubs to make ice cream?”
The plastic tubs we use are certified food grade material which means they are clean of cross-contaminates before they enter our factory. We are unable to reuse previously filled napoli tubs in the factory as we cannot guarantee they are 100% clean of previous food remnants. To clean these to an industrial level certified safe for food packaging, huge investment would need to be made in a food waste cleaning facility. Recycling these tubs to reuse the plastic in plastic production is therefore the best solution to reducing plastic waste.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
We encourage all our traders to reuse tubs where possible. In catering food service, the large 5 litre tubs with lids are a fantastic resource to store ingredients. Likewise in busy parlours, 2.4 litre tubs can be stored to preserve toppings and sauces. There are also more creative uses for tubs: plant pots, stationary storage and much more.