For the first time UK Plastics Pact members have submitted comprehensive data giving a clear indication of progress towards the four targets, as well as where the biggest challenges lie.
The UK Plastics Pact is a unique, collaborative initiative that will create a circular economy for plastics. It brings together businesses from across the entire plastics value chain with UK governments and NGOs to tackle plastic waste.
In the first annual report released today, downloadable via a link on the right-hand side of this page, a raft of key insights are revealed including:
The report also highlights that complex challenges still remain, including the development of a recycling system for films and flexible packaging.
By 2025, The UK Plastics Pact will transform the UK plastic packaging sector by meeting four world-leading targets which will not only result in a circular economy for plastics, but also a reduction in virgin plastic production. Importantly this will be achieved not solely through increasing the levels of recycled content in packaging and products, but also as a result of refill solutions and moving away from problematic or unnecessary plastics.
The annual report gives a comprehensive snapshot of progress against the collective targets that are aimed at creating a systemic overhaul of the plastics system in the UK.
Key insights for each of the targets include:
Target 1 - Eliminate problematic or unnecessary single-use plastic packaging through redesign, innovation or alternative (re-use) delivery models:
Target 2 - 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable:
Target 3 - 70% of plastic packaging effectively recycled or composted:
Target 4 - 30% average recycled content across all plastic packaging:
Since The UK Plastics Pact launched in April 2018, a number of other countries have followed suit, with The Netherlands and France launching Pacts in the past year. WRAP is also supporting the development and delivery of Plastics Pacts in Chile, Malaysia and South Africa, with more in the pipeline for 2020 and beyond.
Marcus Gover, WRAP CEO, said: “The way that we make, use and dispose of plastic is transforming, and I am proud of the progress that the Pact has made so far. But there is no magic wand – we’re unpicking a highly complex and well-established system and making sure that we don’t simply displace the environmental cost elsewhere. Retaining the valuable role plastic packaging plays, especially in preventing food waste, is crucial. We can’t gamble with the climate in our desire to tackle plastic pollution.
“Our Pact members have shown that they’re committed to this challenge and our new report demonstrates the breadth of action so far on tackling plastic waste. These aren’t token gestures – changes like these require a huge amount of investment and innovation. It shows that our members are working collaboratively towards the same goal.
Ecosurety joined the UK Plastics Pact in May 2018 and since then we have helped several organisations identify actions need to take to meet the Pact’s targets by analysing their packaging data.
It is important to note that this service is not exclusively for Pact members, we are able to assist any producer who can benefit from data insights to reduce their environmental impact. Contact our team to find out how we can help your organisation.
Last month we also launched the Ecosurety Exploration Fund which is seeking projects that can reduce the environmental impact of packaging, batteries and WEEE through innovation and research. This of course includes new innovation or research that can reduce the impact of plastic packaging.
Applicants have until 10 March 2020 to apply for up to £150k, with the winning projects selected by an industry leading independent judging panel that includes Director of WRAP, Peter Maddox. Please click here to find out more about how to apply.
Marketing projects specialist
Ben joined the team at the beginning of 2015 and helps drive marketing communications and projects for Ecosurety, including project managing the launch of the Ecosurety Exploration Fund and website content development.