The environmental charity published the second annual UK Plastics Pact report yesterday. Its data shows 400 million items classed as “problematic” or “unnecessary” were sold by Pact members in 2019, a reduction of 40% from 2018.
And, the data shows the amount of plastic packaging recycled in the UK increased from 44% in 2018 to 50% in 2019, while 64% of plastic packaging placed on the market by Pact members continues to be recyclable.
The average recycled content in Pact members’ plastic packaging increased from 9% in 2018 to 13% in 2019.
However, WRAP’s chief executive Marcus Gover warned there were “significant challenges ahead” which needed urgent attention to keep the UK “on course”.
Mr Gover said: “It’s great to see UK Plastics Pact members cutting unnecessary plastic packaging by 40% and increasing recycling to 50% in just one year.
“This was exactly why we set up the Pact – to tackle problematic plastic, increase re-use and recycling, and stop plastic polluting the environment. I am delighted with the progress and very pleased to see leading businesses trialling refill and reuse alternatives.”
Targets
The pact between WRAP and more than 160 UK businesses was first signed in April 2018. It set out four targets to be met by 2025 in a bid to increase plastic recycling and reduce single-use packaging (see letsrecycle.com story). The four targets are:
- To eliminate problematic or unnecessary single-use plastic packaging through redesign, innovation or alternative (re-use) delivery models
- For 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable
- For 70% of plastic packaging to be effectively recycled or composted
- For there to be 30% average recycled content across all plastic packagin
Recycling minister Rebecca Pow welcomed the report’s publication. She said: “I’m very pleased to see the progress of The UK Plastics Pact, which is tackling one of the greatest threats to our environment, and I thank all those involved who are working on this vital project.
“We must continue to go further and faster to tackle unnecessary plastic”
“We must continue to go further and faster to tackle unnecessary plastic, and that’s why we have recently banned the supply of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds and confirmed the extension of the single-use carrier bag charge to all retailers, which has already cut sales by 95% in the main supermarkets.”
Unnecessary plastic
Four hundred million “problematic and unnecessary items” were sold by Pact members in 2019, WRAP says. Most Pact members are on track to eliminate six of the eight items and materials classified as “problematic and unnecessary” by the end of this year. The estimated tonnage of the material sold was 16,000 tonnes, a 30% reduction on 2018 levels.
Members’ reports from 2018 and 2019 show a 6% reduction in plastic packaging placed on the market.
Polystyrene remains an issue, WRAP says. It notes the example of food company Danone, which it says has invested in new technologies to produce yogurt pots from PET or PP.
Recyclable plastic
Today, 64% of plastic packaging placed on the market by Pact members is recyclable, WRAP says.
The environmental charity said several brands and supermarkets were making inroads to reusables and refill including Asda, which launched its pilot sustainability store in 2020, among other plastic reduction and recycling initiatives. Asda estimates that the initiatives being trialled will save one million pieces of plastic per year.
Recycling and composting
The amount of plastic packaging recycled by Pact members increased from 44% in 2018 to 50% in 2019. This represents an additional 107,000 tonnes.
The number of local authorities collecting plastic pots, tubs and trays increased from 79% in 2018 to 84% in 2019 across the UK, WRAP says, while all councils continue to collect plastic bottles.
Recycled content
The average recycled content of Pact members’ plastic packaging is now 13%, WRAP says, rising from 9% in 2018. This equates to 700,000 barrels of virgin oil and 66,000 tonnes of CO2e.
WRAP noted member actions included Coca-Cola moving all PET bottles to 50% rPET content across all its core brands. Waitrose launched packaging for its ‘treat tubs’ made from 90% recycled material and Unilever’s new Magnum tubs and lids for its ‘pints range’ are made with recycled polypropylene (rPP).
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