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Our Plastic Recycling Process
At Nolan Recycling, we specialise in responsible plastic recycling, with a focus on accuracy, traceability, and sustainability. Our process supports the circular economy, turning waste plastics into valuable new materials while minimising environmental impact.
Collection / Arrival
Manual Sorting
Forwarding for Recycling
Sustainability in Action
What Types of Plastic Do We Recycle?
Examples: Old windows, doors, pipes, trunking.
Our recycling process: Materials are hand-sorted and deglazed, then baled and sent to Eurocell, a leading UK uPVC recycler.
End Use: Re-extruded into new windows, cladding, guttering, and other long-life building products.
Sustainability Note: uPVC can be recycled up to 10 times without quality loss, and used in products that last over 350 years.
Examples: Washing baskets, crates, storage containers.
Our recycling process: Materials are hand-sorted and baled, then exported to Europe via a trusted partner.
End Use: Recycled into garden furniture, automotive components, and durable goods.
Examples: Construction buckets, drums, pipes, rigid containers.
Our recycling process: Materials are hand-sorted and baled, then exported to Europe via a trusted partner.
End Use: Shredded into flakes, then remanufactured into new buckets, pallets, or packaging.
Clear/Natural
Examples: Bubble wrap, cellophane, clear stretch film.
Our recycling process: Materials are hand-sorted and baled for export via a trusted partner.
End Use: Recycled into plastic films, liners, and refuse sacks.
Coloured / “Jazz” LDPE
Examples: Cement bags, black bin bags, coloured films.
Our recycling process: Materials are hand-sorted and baled, then exported to Malaysia via a trusted partner where it is fully processing: washed, shredded, and pelletised.
End Use: Often re-imported to the UK and used for council blue bags, black sacks, and other commercial film products.
Examples: Clear plastic bottles, food trays, drinks containers.
Our recycling process: Materials are hand-sorted and baled for export via a trusted partner.
End Use: Mechanically recycled into textile fibres (e.g., fleece), carpets, or new PET containers.
Step 1 - Collection / Arrival
Plastic waste is received at our facility through our reliable skip hire services or via direct delivery from commercial clients, contractors, and trade partners.
Step 2 - Manual Sorting & Catagorising
We accept and sort a wide range of plastic types, all of which are manually inspected and categorised by our experienced team. Each type is then baled and sent to carefully selected processors for recycling and re-use. We recycle the following plastics:
To read more about each catagory please see our handy dropdowns above.
Step 3 - Forwarding for Recovery
Once sorted, the plastics are baled by catagory and await forwarding to our trusted partners. Some of the platics will be process here in the UK, while others are exported to Europe or Internationally. Every bale of plastic that leaves Nolan Recycling is fully traceable through a system of legal and regulatory checks, we retain detailed records for every load, and undergo regular inspections to ensure end-to-end environmental responsibility.
Did you know youre plastic waste even has a passport! It's called an Annexe VII “Waste Passport”: Every shipment is accompanied by this document, which confirms the material type, destination, and end-use purpose.
Step 4 - Why It Matters:
Our plastic recycling process plays a key role in reducing landfill, lowering carbon emissions, and promoting the re-use of materials. By working with certified partners in the UK, Europe, and globally, we help businesses and local authorities:
Divert recyclable plastics from landfill
Comply with UK and EU waste regulations
Contribute to a more sustainable, circular economy
Reduce the need for virgin plastic production
DOES YOUR BUSINESS NEED HELP WITH
WASTE MANAGEMENT?
Our Waste Management Advisors are on hand!