Plastics play an important role in our daily lives and can often play a critical role, for instance, in protecting food and preventing food waste. But we must take urgent action where the use of plastic is problematic or unnecessary, to stop the issues plastic presents to our environment.
UK Plastics Pact members account for two thirds of all consumer plastic packaging used in the UK and they are strengthening their ambition in the fight against plastic waste. Building on the eight problem plastics identified for elimination in 2019, six new plastic items and materials have been set for elimination.
Eliminating Problem Plastics Report Consultation
Deadline: 5pm, 12 September 2024
The report was last updated in 2022 with 6 new items added to the elimination list by the end of 2025.
The Target 1 list has been a key framework for focusing efforts on problematic materials. Achieving Targets 2 (recyclability) and 3 (effective recycling) depends on removing or redesigning non-recyclable plastic packaging. Therefore, the Target 1 list is being strengthened to maintain momentum and ambition, reflecting policy, innovation, and technical developments. Although the end date of 2025 is fast approaching, it is important for the credibility of the Pact to maintain momentum and ambition whilst also reflecting policy developments, innovation and technical developments.
For this reason, WRAP is now consulting on a broader list of materials not effectively recyclable at scale or within Simpler Recycling, including items marked red in Polymer Choices best practices.
This consultation is public, seeking input from UK Plastics Pact members and the wider industry, including manufacturers and suppliers involved with these materials.
To participate, review the Target 1 consultation document and complete the Consultation Survey via links below by 5pm on 12 September 2024.
The key takeaways
- The UK Plastics Pact identify six new problem plastics to be eliminated as far as possible.
- WRAP’s ground-breaking research identifies that plastic packaging for uncut fresh fruit and vegetables, should be eliminated unless it is demonstrated to reduce food waste.
- 14 plastic items and materials remain on our investigation list with Pact members committed to developing and implementing solutions to address the issues they present.
The six new problem plastics set for elimination
Items 1-5 in the list should be removed by the end of 2022 as far as possible. Elimination of plastic packaging for uncut fresh fruit and vegetables is a longer-term goal.
- Plastic wrapping for multi-sales of tins, bottles, and cartons
- PVC cling film
- Non-compostable fruit / veg stickers
- Non-compostable tea and coffee bags
- Single use, single serving plastic sachets / jiggers in restaurant settings
- Plastic packaging for uncut fresh fruit & vegetables, unless it is demonstrated to reduce food waste
What progress have we seen under The UK Plastics Pact to eliminate problem plastics:
Changes you will see on shelf - Pact member action
Industry progress on tackling problematic plastics, including action against the original list of eight plastic items, can be found in our UK Plastics Pact Annual Report. It includes examples from, Morrisons, Lidl, Wilko, PepsiCo, Sainsbury's, Nestle UK & Ireland, Britvic, Danone, innocent drinks, Waitrose & Partners, Mars Petcare, Klockner Pentaplast, Mondelez, Premier Foods and Samworth Brothers.
The original eight for elimination
- Disposable plastic cutlery
- Disposable plastic plates and bowls
- Plastic straws
- Cotton buds with plastic stems
- Plastic stirrers
- Household Polystyrene Packaging
- Oxo-degradable plastic products
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) packaging
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