Key resources

Explore our plastics and packaging research, tools and guidance

Essential reading

Plastic packaging plays an important role in protecting goods as they move through the economy and importantly in reducing food waste and its climate impact. However, the current plastics system is failing. Our throwaway culture has led to increasing levels of plastic waste in our natural environment. Our reports, guidance, research and tools can help you make the necessary changes in your business to create a circular economy for plastics keeping them in the economy and out of the environment. 

The UK Plastics Pact

Key reports from our world first initiative tackling plastic waste and pollution

  • The pathway to selling more uncut fruit and veg loose

  • The UK Plastics Pact Annual Report 2022-23

  • A Roadmap to 2025: The UK Plastics Pact

  • Creating a circular economy for flexible plastic packaging

  • Eliminating problem plastics

Packaging design

Our key guidance to help your business transform your product and packaging design for greater recyclability. 

  • Design guidance for recyclability of household rigid plastic packaging

    Polymer choice guidance

  • Compostable plastic packaging guidance

  • Design tips for making rigid plastic packaging more recyclable

Improving recycling rates and driving material quality

Our reports and guidance can help you realise the economic and environmental benefits of creating a circular economy for plastics in the UK. We can reap the benefits through collaborative action and whole system change which will improve recycling rates and material quality

  • Redesigning the plastics system - the role of non-mechanical recycling

  • Plastics Market Situation Report 2021

  • Recycling your customers' plastic bags and wrapping

  • PlasticFlow 2025 - Plastic packaging flow data report

  • Recyclability of black plastic packaging

  • Recycling Guidelines

  • Understanding plastic packaging and the language we use to describe it

Citizen research

Our world leading citizen research can help your business understand and navigate the complexities of citizen recycling behaviour. This enables you to have a clearer picture of what messages resonate with your customers. This clear understanding helps improve recycling rates and change behaviour collectively.   

  • Increasing citizen participation in reuse and refill systems

  • Recycling Tracker Report Spring 2022

  • Plastics Tracker Report 2021: Behaviours and attitudes around refill, bring back recycling, plastics and packaging

  • On-pack labelling and citizen recycling behaviour

  • Plastic packaging waste: Understanding existing citizen behaviours, attitudes and openness to change