MEDIA RECYCLING AND RECOVERY
Unwanted Film and Tape Assets

The UV&S Media Recycling solution addresses the very particular environmental challenge presented by unwanted film and tape assets. These are items that were manufactured without plans for a post-service legacy. When released from libraries and archives, they can become a major material problem.

For much of the 20th century the film and television industries simply sent unwanted media to landfill – and thousands of tons of reels and videotapes are still buried, either whole or in fragments. As they degrade over decades (and it will take many), the constituent properties of these plastics and metals, such as polyethylene terephthalate, chromium, and other phthalate-laden chemicals, can threaten soil integrity and the water table beyond.

Add to this the need to protect brand exposure and insure against piracy and it was clear that a new, more sustainable film and tape recycling service was required. Our pioneering approach is to harvest useful poly-plastics and non-ferrous metals for re-use where suitable, while recovering 100% of remaining materials for alternative energy generation. This closed-loop solution not only solves the immediate disposal issue with zero landfill and zero waste, but also contributes to a reduction in the demand for fossil fuels.

IT and production/broadcast kit (WEEE) can be also recycled. Equipment is technically dismantled for component and precious metal harvesting while hard drives are wiped and crushed. Once complete, we provide a Certificate of Destruction.

Our Media Recycling operations in the United Kingdom are:

• FACT accredited (Federation Against Copyright Theft)
• Albert recognised as a supplier with high sustainability credentials
• Licensed by The Environment Agency
• Contributors to the charity Trees for Cities, commissioning the planting of trees in urban spaces

In summary, the Media Recycling process comprises:

• Collection and sorting of materials for recyclables
• Separation of ferrous metals, WEEE items & polypropylenes where possible
• 100% of remaining materials move to specially equipped EfW plants to be fired to 850°C
• Super-heated boilers create steam for turbines. 37mw of renewable energy is generated, enough to serve 50,000 homes and businesses
• Emissions are filtered & captured with ashes used as aggregate in construction
• A Certificate of Destruction is supplied

UV&S is ready work with you to meet your media recycling challenge and improve your company’s sustainability profile. To find out more email [email protected], call +44(0)20 8573 9999 or simply complete the form below.