Guardian readers have been opening their weekend paper to find supplements wrapped in a compostable material made from potato starch.

The paper says it ditched its polythene covers after feedback from readers.

Advice on the wrapping says it should not be recycled but disposed of on a compost heap or in a food waste bin.

The change, which the Guardian says will increase its production costs, has been introduced in London, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

It plans to phase in the new wrapping across the whole of the UK over the coming months.

The packaging has a silky feel and is not entirely transparent like plastic.

The Guardian said the wrap was suitable for domestic composting and designed to "completely compost within six months in a well-maintained compost heap or food waste bin".

Reaction on social media has been mainly positive, although some readers were unsure whether their local authority would allow it in their food waste bin and whether it would ever fully break down.

The Guardian said it would not reveal the extra cost involved in switching to the packaging.

Other publications have already moved to potato starch wrapping, including the New Internationalist and the National Trust members' magazine, but the Guardian says it is the first national newspaper to do so.

What is potato starch packaging?

Usually comes from waste potatoes so you don't need to grow a crop to make it

100% compostable

Contains no oil-based materials, plastics or harmful toxins

Durable

Carries the EN13432 industrial certification. OK compost HOME certification, which the Guardian wrapper has, is the equivalent for domestic compost

Other national newspapers say they have been experimenting with more environmentally-friendly ways to distribute their magazines, supplements and advertising leaflets.

The Times said it was trialling biodegradable bags and "belly bands" - a looped strip of paper - and hoped to roll out at least one of these options "as soon as we can".

A spokesman for the Mail on Sunday said: "We are actively investigating an alternative to polythene bags, in particular using a form of paper packaging."

The FT said it removed all plastic packaging of home deliveries at the start of the year - and papers sold in newsagents and supermarkets have always been unwrapped.

The move at the Guardian coincides with a 30p price hike of the Saturday edition to £3.20. The price of the weekday edition and the Observer are also going up by 20p, to £2.20 and £3.20 respectively. </s> Consumers are being warned that only a third of the plastic in packaging pots and trays for food bought by households can be recycled .

It is a startling figure from the Local Government Association who have been analysing the types of plastics that are used to package foods from fruit and vegetables to yogurts, margarine and microwave meals.

As a result, they are urging manufacturers to scrap the "smorgasbord" of plastics used to help cut waste and increase recycling.

Their figures suggests 525,000 tonnes of plastic pots, tubs and trays are used by households a year, but just 169,145 tonnes can be recycled, with two-thirds heading for landfill or incineration.

The LGA said councils had done all they can to tackle plastic waste, with 99% of local authorities collecting plastic bottles for recycling and 77% picking up pots, tubs and trays.

But packaging for food can be made from a variety of polymers, the molecules which make up plastic, which need to be separated out to remove low-grade and non-recyclable types of plastic such as polystyrene.

Some packaging uses different plastics such as the body and lid of a yogurt pot, while fruit and vegetables punnets are made from three types of polymer, and microwave meals are cased in black plastic which cannot be easily sorted.

Manufacturers should work with councils and develop a plan to stop unrecyclable plastic being used, the Government should consider a ban on low-grade plastics and producers should contribute to the cost of collecting or disposing of the products, the LGA urged.

The plastics that are difficult to deal with The LGA outlined five examples of everyday packaging that uses plastic that is difficult to deal with:

1. Margarine and ice cream tubs use polypropylene, which is extremely difficult to recycle, but they could be made with the plastic used for water bottles which can be easily recycled. 2. Microwave meal and meat packaging often uses black plastic that cannot be easily scanned and sorted, but changing the colour of these trays could lead to an increase in recycling. 3. Fruit and vegetable punnets use three polymers in their construction, so councils are calling for a simpler design using recyclable materials.

 4. Yogurt pots use a mixture of two polymers, polypropylene and polystyrene, which are difficult to recycle but some companies now use the same material as used for plastic bottles, making them easily recyclable.

 5. Bakery goods trays use two hard-to-recycle polymers, but more recyclable materials are available to store baked goods.

Judith Blake, LGA environment spokeswoman, said: "It's time for manufacturers to stop letting a smorgasboard of unrecyclable and damaging plastic flow into our environment.

"We've been calling for producers of unrecyclable material to develop a plan to stop this from entering the environment for years.

"That needs to happen urgently, but the Government should now consider banning low-grade plastics, particularly those for single use, in order to increase recycling.

"If manufacturers don't want to get serious about producing material which can be recycled and protecting our environment, then they should at least contribute towards the cost that local taxpayers have to pay to clear it up."

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokeswoman said: "Our recycling rates are rising, less waste is now sent to landfill and separate food waste collections are increasing.

"However, there is much more to do. That's why we are we are working with industry to improve the nation's recycling rates further, including by making more products recyclable."

Wales, however, is pretty good at recycling.

As a country we were named the second best household waste recycler in the world at the end of 2017.

Cardiff is currently one of the best cities for recycling in the UK with a recycling and composting rate of 60 per cent. But it still needs to improve - the council will need to recycle a further 20,000 tonnes of the city's waste by 2025 to meet Welsh Government's 70% target.

We are all still making mistakes, partly because we're trying to recycle the wrong things. </s> Two-thirds of the plastics used to package foods from fruit and vegetables to microwave meals go to landfill or are incinerated, town hall chiefs have said.

Around 525,000 tons of plastic pots, tubs and trays are collected from UK households each year, but just 169,145 tons can actually be recycled, analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA) shows.

The LGA says councils are doing everything they can to tackle plastic waste, with 99% of local authorities collecting plastic bottles for recycling and 77% picking up pots, tubs and trays.

But packaging for food can be made from a variety of plastic molecules called polymers, which need to be separated out to remove low-grade and non-recyclable types of plastic such as polystyrene.

Some packaging uses different plastics such as the body and lid of a yogurt pot, while fruit and vegetables punnets are made from three types of polymer, and microwave meals are cased in black plastic which cannot be easily sorted.

The analysis come after Sky News' documentary, Dirty Business, revealed it was more lucrative to export British plastic recycling than process it in the UK.

Town hall chiefs want manufacturers to stop using the mixture of plastics for food packaging to help increase recycling and are urging the government to consider a ban on low-grade plastics.

Judith Blake, LGA environment spokeswoman, said: "It's time for manufacturers to stop letting a smorgasboard of unrecyclable and damaging plastic flow into our environment.

"We've been calling for producers of unrecyclable material to develop a plan to stop this from entering the environment for years.

"That needs to happen urgently, but the government should now consider banning low-grade plastics, particularly those for single use, in order to increase recycling."

A spokeswoman from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "Our recycling rates are rising, less waste is now sent to landfill and separate food waste collections are increasing.

"However, there is much more to do. That's why we are we are working with industry to improve the nation's recycling rates further, including by making more products recyclable."

1. Margarine and ice cream tubs use polypropylene, which is extremely difficult to recycle, but they could be made with the plastic used for water bottles which can be easily recycled.

2. Microwave meal and meat packaging often uses black plastic that cannot be easily scanned and sorted, but changing the colour of these trays could lead to a rise in recycling.

3. Fruit and vegetable punnets are made of three polymers, so councils are calling for a simpler design using recyclable materials.

4. Yogurt pots use a mixture of two polymers, polypropylene and polystyrene, which are difficult to recycle but some companies now use the same material as used for plastic bottles, making them easily recyclable.

5. Bakery goods trays use two hard-to-recycle polymers, but more recyclable materials are available to store baked goods.

:: Sky's Ocean Rescue campaign encourages people to reduce their single-use plastics. You can find out more about the campaign and how to get involved at www.skyoceanrescue.com </s> Only a third of the plastic in packaging pots and trays for food bought by households can be recycled, local authorities have warned.

Town hall chiefs urged manufacturers to scrap the “smorgasbord” of plastics used to package foods from fruit and vegetables to yogurts, margarine and microwave meals to help cut waste and increase recycling.

Analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA) suggests 525,000 tonnes of plastic pots, tubs and trays are used by households a year.

But just 169,145 tonnes can be recycled, with two-thirds heading for landfill or incineration.

The LGA said councils had done all they can to tackle plastic waste, with 99% of local authorities collecting plastic bottles for recycling and 77% picking up pots, tubs and trays.

But packaging for food can be made from a variety of polymers, the molecules which make up plastic, which need to be separated out to remove low-grade and non-recyclable types of plastic such as polystyrene.

Some packaging uses different plastics such as the body and lid of a yogurt pot, while fruit and vegetables punnets are made from three types of polymer, and microwave meals are cased in black plastic which cannot be easily sorted.

Manufacturers should work with councils and develop a plan to stop unrecyclable plastic being used, the Government should consider a ban on low-grade plastics and producers should contribute to the cost of collecting or disposing of the products, the LGA urged.

Judith Blake, LGA environment spokeswoman, said: “It’s time for manufacturers to stop letting a smorgasboard of unrecyclable and damaging plastic flow into our environment.

“We’ve been calling for producers of unrecyclable material to develop a plan to stop this from entering the environment for years.

“That needs to happen urgently, but the Government should now consider banning low-grade plastics, particularly those for single use, in order to increase recycling.

“If manufacturers don’t want to get serious about producing material which can be recycled and protecting our environment, then they should at least contribute towards the cost that local taxpayers have to pay to clear it up.”

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokeswoman said: “Our recycling rates are rising, less waste is now sent to landfill and separate food waste collections are increasing.

“However, there is much more to do. That’s why we are we are working with industry to improve the nation’s recycling rates further, including by making more products recyclable.”

The LGA outlined five examples of everyday packaging that uses plastic that is difficult to deal with:

– 1. Margarine and ice cream tubs use polypropylene, which is extremely difficult to recycle, but they could be made with the plastic used for water bottles which can be easily recycled.

– 2. Microwave meal and meat packaging often uses black plastic that cannot be easily scanned and sorted, but changing the colour of these trays could lead to an increase in recycling.

– 3. Fruit and vegetable punnets use three polymers in their construction, so councils are calling for a simpler design using recyclable materials.

– 4. Yogurt pots use a mixture of two polymers, polypropylene and polystyrene, which are difficult to recycle but some companies now use the same material as used for plastic bottles, making them easily recyclable.

– 5. Bakery goods trays use two hard-to-recycle polymers, but more recyclable materials are available to store baked goods. </s> Most of the plastic food trays that householders carefully wash out after use and put in the recycling bin cannot actually be recycled, it has emerged.

The mixture of plastics used in many yogurt pots, ready meal trays and other containers limits the ability of councils to recycle them.

The Local Government Association says that only a third can be reused. The rest get sent to landfill.

It blames producers for using a mix of polymers, some of them poor quality.

The LGA says the government should consider a ban on low-grade plastics.

According to the LGA analysis, around 525,000 tonnes of plastic pots, tubs and trays are used by households in the UK every year, but only 169,000 tonnes of this waste is capable of being recycled.
• The woman who found a new threat in plastic
• Seven charts that explain the plastic pollution problem

The LGA says that some simple tweaks could make a massive difference to this situation,

It points to microwave meals which are often supplied in black plastic material.

However, black is the only colour that can't be easily scanned by recycling machines, meaning that process becomes unnecessarily complicated.

Changing the colour of these items would significantly increase the amount that could be used again.

"It's almost criminal to think that some of the plastics being used are difficult to recycle, and black plastic is almost impossible to recycle," Cllr Peter Fleming from the LGA told BBC News.

"The only reason we have black plastic being used by manufacturers is that it makes the food look good."

When it comes to punnets of fruit and vegetables many are made from up to three different types of plastic, including polystyrene, which can't be recycled.
• Margarine and ice cream tubs: Often contain the polymer polypropylene which is very difficult to recycle. An alternative approach would be to make them from the same plastic as water bottles which is easily re-used.
• Microwave and meat packaging: The materials can be recycled but need to be sorted via an optical scanner first. However, as they are predominantly black this makes the process difficult. A simple change of colour could lead to a real increase in recycling.
• Fruit and vegetable punnets: A complicated construction often sees three different polymers used. Simpler designs and more use of recyclable materials could make a big difference.
• Yoghurt pots: Often made from a mixture of polypropylene and polystyrene, which are difficult to recycle. An alternative is to use polyethylene terephthalate, which is also used in plastic bottles and can be easily recycled.
• Baked goods trays: The lining on these trays for cakes and baked goods is often made from difficult to recycle materials. Other options are available which could boost recycling numbers.

The LGA wants plastics manufacturers to work with councils to prevent materials that limit recycling entering the system in the first place. It is also calling for government to consider banning low-grade plastics, particularly those for single-use items.

"We need an industry-wide, collaborative approach where together we can reduce the amount of material having an impact on the environment," said Cllr Judith Blake, who is the LGA environment spokesperson.

"But if industry won't help us get there, then the government should step in to help councils ensure we can preserve our environment for generations to come."

As well as calling for a ban, the LGA is looking to the government to make plastics manufacturers pay for the costs of collecting and disposing of plastics that can't be recycled.

"Either they can make the change at the front end so their products are easier to recycle," said Cllr Fleming, "or they can start to help pay for the disposal."

The BBC contacted the British Plastics Federation which represents manufacturers for a comment but has yet to receive a response.

The LGA report comes hot on the heels of a study from the National Audit Office that suggests that half the packaging reported as recycled is actually being sent abroad to be processed. </s> The recycling regime is a mess in the UK—but what's stopping Britain from making all of its plastic waste recyclable and ensuring it is actually recycled?

Public engagement has played a big part in tackling plastic waste in the environment. Reaction to scenes in Blue Planet 2 where marine wildlife struggled with plastic in the ocean prompted government action. The recent ban on microbeads in cosmetics and the 5p charge for plastic bags are positive steps, but these gestures are just a start.

Supermarkets have promised in a "Plastic Pact" to eliminate avoidable packaging and ensure all of it can be reused, recycled or composted by 2025. One third of supermarket plastic cannot easily be recycled at present, and while the pact among retailers is only voluntary, its target is welcome. That said, just because a plastic is recyclable does not guarantee that it will be recycled. Local kerbside collections vary from place to place and many authorities only accept limited types.

There is a huge range of different types of plastic used in disposable products and packaging. One solution is to limit the types of plastic to a single standard which is easy to recycle. This might mean fewer coloured plastics. Black food trays are a particularly troublesome example as they contain pigments that make packaging harder to detect by sorting technology.

Mixed materials are those that have different types of material in the same product. For instance, a plastic bag with a foil lining or a disposable coffee cup made of paper with a plastic lining. These are especially difficult and expensive to separate. They are considered in many cases contaminated and worthless.

Designing packaging so that it's easier to separate is vital. Some consultancies offer advice to companies on how to achieve this, for instance, by having outer layers that are removable by the consumer and using water-soluble glues. This design-for-disposal approach would mean that food-grade plastic streams – materials which are safe to use in direct contact with food – are easier to identify and separate, increasing their availability and making them worth more as a material to put back into the cycle.

The raw feedstocks for most plastics are fossil fuels, which are cheaper to use than recycled material. Plant-based feedstocks are a good lower-carbon alternative but are often in competition with crops used to produce energy or food and are not always as sustainable as they might appear. This is where government intervention can have a big impact. A levy on making new single-use plastic rather than using recycled material would create a level playing field and raise funds to subsidise the development of new, cleaner materials.

Could we just get rid of all plastic packaging? Sadly, no. Some of it is considered unavoidable. Plastic prolongs the life of produce. It provides a barrier to bacteria, a film to lock in protective gas and a convenient waterproof layer. It would be difficult to imagine buying products like raw fish without it.

But there are solutions – consumers can take their own reusable containers to shops, and retailers can use more recycled (and recyclable) materials. 2025 is a long way off when plastics are in food chains now. Eliminating single-use materials is possible but it's going to involve us all in the solution.

Businesses are talking about the issue but the public could be forgiven for impatience over the lack of choice and commitment. They need to innovate. The government, meanwhile, has made some positive changes but these have been easy wins so far. They need to provide funding and legislation which supports alternatives to single-use plastics. Consumers also need to be prepared for a little inconvenience. Plastics are not a disposable commodity, they last hundreds of years in our environment and until now their true lifecycle cost has not been reflected in the price at the till. </s> Image copyright lenscap67

Most of the plastic food containers that householders wash out after use and put in the recycling bin cannot actually be recycled, it has emerged.

The mixture of plastics used in many yoghurt pots, ready meal trays and other containers limits the ability of councils to recycle them.

The Local Government Association says that only a third can be recycled. The rest get sent to landfill.

Up to 80% of packaging could be made more recyclable, the industry said.

The British Plastics Federation said companies are working to use more recyclable containers and called for a financial incentive for manufacturers to use more recyclable plastics.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Keith Freegard, from the recycling group at the British Plastics Federation says packaging manufacturers need an incentive.

According to the LGA analysis, around 525,000 tonnes of plastic pots, tubs and trays are used by households in the UK every year, but only 169,000 tonnes of this waste is capable of being recycled.

It blames producers for using a mix of polymers, some of them poor quality.

The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, says the government should consider a ban on low-grade plastics.

Black plastic 'impossible to recycle'

The LGA says simple tweaks could make a massive difference, highlighting the case of microwave meals which are often supplied in black plastic material.

Black is the only colour that can't be easily scanned by recycling machines, meaning that process becomes unnecessarily complicated.

Changing the colour of these items would significantly increase the amount that could be used again.

"It's almost criminal to think that some of the plastics being used are difficult to recycle, and black plastic is almost impossible to recycle," Cllr Peter Fleming from the LGA told BBC News.

Image copyright GAnnison Image caption Microwave meal containers are often made from black plastic making it hard for scanners to recognise them

"The only reason we have black plastic being used by manufacturers is that it makes the food look good."

When it comes to punnets of fruit and vegetables many are made from up to three different types of plastic, including polystyrene, which can't be recycled.

Your views: 'Non-sustainable plastics should be labelled'

Some readers have said they want more transparency from shops about what packaging is recyclable.

Sally Warburton from Guernsey said she wants to buy sustainable items, "but it's a minefield and it sickens me that manufacturers are not being held to account".

Geraldine Fields said consumers "should be told exactly what plastic containers are able to be recycled and what can't".

She added: "I would like to see this information on the packaging so I can choose what products I buy based on their ability to be recycled."

Will this information change your shopping habits? Let us know by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

The LGA wants plastics manufacturers to work with councils to prevent materials that limit recycling entering the system in the first place.

And "if industry won't help us get there, then the government should step in to help councils", said Cllr Judith Blake, who is the LGA environment spokesperson.

As well as calling for a ban, the LGA is looking to the government to make plastics manufacturers pay for the costs of collecting and disposing of plastics that can't be recycled.

"Either they can make the change at the front end so their products are easier to recycle," said Cllr Fleming, "or they can start to help pay for the disposal."

Find out more about plastics pollution and how people are cutting down

Keith Freegard, from the recycling group at the British Plastics Federation - the leading association for the whole of the plastics industry - said designers often use the colour black for packs to indicate they are a more "top of the range product".

He told BBC Breakfast: "Unfortunately those designers didn't realise that when those packs arrived in the recycling factory after it had been separated by consumers, the black dye is not able to be seen by the sorting scanners in the recycling plant - so that does need to change."

He added: "At the moment there's no fiscal or monetary system in the UK that makes designers go for the really good-to-recycle designs and those who make packs which are less easy to recycle, they should be paying more money into the system."

Ask a question

Simon Ellin, the head of the Recycling Association, said manufacturers do have a "big responsibility" and "have got away with it for too many years", but added that "local authorities need to take responsibility as well".

"We have nearly 350 different collection systems up and down the country," he said. "There's widespread confusion, the public don't know how to use it, it's underfunded and it's the proverbial dog's dinner, to be honest."

Five simple solutions to packaging problems

Image copyright Getty Images

Margarine and ice cream tubs: Often contain the polymer polypropylene which is very difficult to recycle. An alternative approach would be to make them from the same plastic as water bottles which is easily recycled. Microwave and meat packaging: The materials can be recycled but need to be sorted via an optical scanner first. However, as they are predominantly black this makes the process difficult. A simple change of colour could lead to a real increase in recycling. Fruit and vegetable punnets: A complicated construction often sees three different polymers used. Simpler designs and more use of recyclable materials could make a big difference. Yoghurt pots: Often made from a mixture of polypropylene and polystyrene, which can be hard to recycle. An alternative is to use polyethylene terephthalate, which is also used in plastic bottles and can be easily recycled. Baked goods trays: The lining on these trays for cakes and baked goods is often made from difficult to recycle materials. Other options are available which could boost recycling numbers.

Dr Dominic Hogg, the chairman of waste management consultancy firm Eunomia, estimated the cost of dealing with packaging at the household level at around £1bn a year.

"The system we have at the moment, essentially the producers are covering probably something around £10-20 million of that cost," he said - adding that in some European countries, manufacturers would fund the entire amount.

In a statement - which supermarkets Asda and Sainsbury's referred to as their response to the LGA - the British Retail Consortium said retailers were "investing heavily" to find alternatives.

The LGA report comes after a study from the National Audit Office that suggests half the packaging reported as recycled is actually being sent abroad to be processed. </s> This is a step toward healthier oceans and “giving nature a hand,” according to Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage.

“New Zealanders are proud of our country’s clean, green reputation and want to help ensure we live up to it,” she said in a statement. “Ending the use of single-use plastic shopping bags helps do that.”

The official forbiddance covers all retailers across the island country; businesses were given six month’s notice to begin phasing out single-use plastic bags.

That includes all shopping bags made of plastic up to 70 microns thick—even those containing degradable compounds. Think typical supermarket, take-away restaurant, or department store fare.

Folks are now encouraged to carry reusable bags instead. You know, the kind made of synthetic fabrics, cotton, canvas, or recycled fabric. Heck, bring a backpack or wheeled trolley bag if you prefer.

It appears plenty of locals have already made the transition: As of September, 91 percent of shoppers “always/often” bring reusable satchels, according to a survey done for New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment.

“Government regulations and the sum of many individual actions make a difference,” Sage said. “Remembering to take … reusable bags is stopping tens of millions of single-use plastic bags becoming waste each year.”

All it takes is a light breeze or gentle current to sweep a discarded polybag straight into the lungs of a helpless dolphin, sea turtle, or human being.

This phase-out, Sage said, encourages people to “act with nature in mind.”

“The ban should ensure less plastic ends up in rivers, streams, stormwater systems, and the ocean so seabirds, fish, turtles, and marine mammals are less vulnerable to being harmed by it,” she explained.

If you don’t have a bag, most major retailers sell reusable ones for a small cost, or have boxes that can be reused.

The Ministry for the Environment has worked to educate businesses about the ban. However, members of the public can use the MfE’s online portal to report rebellious organizations still handing out single-use plastic bags.

“At the start of plastic-free July, the plastic shopping bag ban is one step to tackling New Zealand’s waste issues,” Sage said. “We also need to recharge our materials recovery and recycling systems and shift to a circular economy.”
• None Truly Recyclable Plastic Can Be Used Again and Again and Again </s> LONDON - Most of the plastic food containers that householders wash out after use and put in the recycling bin cannot actually be recycled, it has emerged. The mixture of plastics used in many yoghurt pots, ready meal trays and other containers limits the ability of councils to recycle them. The Local Government Association says that only a third can be recycled. The rest get sent to landfill.

Up to 80% of packaging could be made more recyclable, the industry said.

The British Plastics Federation said companies are working to use more recyclable containers and called for a financial incentive for manufacturers to use more recyclable plastics.

According to the LGA analysis, around 525,000 tonnes of plastic pots, tubs and trays are used by households in the UK every year, but only 169,000 tonnes of this waste is capable of being recycled.

It blames producers for using a mix of polymers, some of them poor quality.

The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, says the government should consider a ban on low-grade plastics.

The LGA says simple tweaks could make a massive difference, highlighting the case of microwave meals which are often supplied in black plastic material.

Black is the only colour that can’t be easily scanned by recycling machines, meaning that process becomes unnecessarily complicated.

Changing the colour of these items would significantly increase the amount that could be used again.

“It’s almost criminal to think that some of the plastics being used are difficult to recycle, and black plastic is almost impossible to recycle,” Cllr Peter Fleming from the LGA told BBC News.

“The only reason we have black plastic being used by manufacturers is that it makes the food look good.”

When it comes to punnets of fruit and vegetables many are made from up to three different types of plastic, including polystyrene, which can’t be recycled.
British newspaper The Guardian switches from polythene wrappers to compostable material made from potato starch based on customer feedback. The paper said this packaging, which is biodegradable but cannot be recycled, increases operating costs.