Waste management and recycling specialist Recoup (Peterborough / UK; www.recoup.org) asked participants at its recent “Plastics Recycling Expo”, held in Telford / UK in mid-June, whether the UK should remain in the EU or vote in favour of the “Brexit” in the referendum due to be held on 23 June. The organisation’s mock vote fit into the overall theme of the event, and required visitors and exhibitors to discard their empty plastic bottles in one of two bins labelled “Brexit” and “Remain”.

The results indicated a clear winner, with 65% of bottles placed in the “Remain” recycling bin. The decision to conduct a mock vote in this manner elicited a varied number of responses from expo participants, with discussions focusing on how the referendum's outcome would impact future investment in manufacturing facilities, imports and exports, as well as the UK recycling industry in general. Commenting on the vote, Recoup communication manager Anne Hitch said, “The Remain and Brexit decision will directly affect how the UK prioritises recycling, sustainability and circular economy development.”

Interestingly, the percentage of Recoup poll respondents in favour of remaining in the EU is almost identical to that of an earlier poll conducted by the UK’s Chemical Industries Association (CIA, London; www.cia.org.uk), which found that 62% of respondents were in favour of remaining within the union. CIA warned that leaving the EU could harm the development of the UK chemicals industry, including exports (for more details, see Plasteurope.com of 02.05.2016). An earlier poll held by the British Plastics Federation (BPF, London / UK; www.bpf.co.uk) also found that 62% of respondents favoured remaining within the EU (see Plasteurope.com of 07.03.2016).