It is reported that the Plastic Pact members generate 2/3 of consumer plastic packaging and place over 1 million tonnes of plastic packaging on the market each year.
The Plastic Pact targets are:
1 Eliminate problematic or unnecessary single-use packaging through redesign, innovation or alternative (reuse) delivery models.
2 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable.
3 70% of plastic packaging effectively recycled or composted.
4 30% average recycled content across all plastic packaging.
Target 1 Eliminate problematic or unnecessary single-use packaging through redesign, innovation or alternative (reuse) delivery models.
WRAP has defined what is meant by problematic or unnecessary single-use plastic as
“A single-use plastic packaging item is classed as problematic or unnecessary if:
it’s use is avoidable or reusable options are available; it’s not recyclable or hampers the recycling process; or it pollutes our environment.”
Eight items to be banned 2020
Disposable plastic cutlery, all household polystyrene packaging, cotton buds with plastic stems, plastic stirrers, plastic straws, oxo-degradable plastics, PVC packaging, disposable plastic plates and bowls.
A further 19 plastic packaging items are being investigated for their status.
These include: Plastic bags, including carrier bags and fresh produce bags, Plastic film packaging e.g. crisps, fruit and vegetable film packaging, Multi-layer nonrecyclable plastics e.g. pouches, Multi-pack rings for canned drinks, Multi-veg/fruit net bags e.g. for citrus and some vegetables, Multi-buy bulk (secondary) wrapping, PVC cling film, Bottle tops/caps, Single-use drinks bottles, Non-recyclable coloured plastics, Fruit and veg punnets/trays, Internal plastic trays e.g. trays for premium biscuits, Disposable plastic cups, Fruit/veg stickers, Plastic cup lids, Plastic coffee pods, Milk and salad dressing jiggers, single serving pots and sachets, Tear off tamper evident strips on containers and Teabags.
Do you manufacture, import, supply or use any of these 8 items to be banned in 2020? If so, Reduce stocks and eliminate from supply chain.
Can any plastic items be described as problematic or unnecessary SUP? If so, Reduce stocks and eliminate from supply chain.
Do you manufacture, import, supply or use any of 19 items being investigation? If so, review use and consider alternatives.
Target 2 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
In July 2019 WRAP published its recyclability guidelines for rigid plastic packaging and expanded on this work to provide guidance on best practice polymer choices. The guidance sets out ‘best in class’ packaging design.
Wrap has also applied a definition of recyclable as: “In order for something to be deemed ‘recyclable’, it must be collected, sorted, reprocessed and manufactured back into a new product or packaging – at scale and economically.”
If you describe any plastic as recyclable does it meet this definition? If not review your description.
The WRAP guidance (Defining what’s recyclable and best in class polymer choices for packaging WRAP Aug 2019) states that NIR detectable colour PP, HPE, LDPE, aPET, rPET and cPet are recyclable.
Is the plastic used listed above? If not consider review of plastic material
It also defines the following packaging as non recyclable
- Any pack containing PVC or PS components,
- Tubes from the DIY sector.
- Individual packaging items that are smaller than 50 x 50 mm.
- 3D plastic items that are under 0.05mm thick..
- Packaging with metal components.
Does the packaging have any of the issues listed above? If so consider redesign to eliminate the issue.
Target 3 70% of plastic packaging effectively recycled or composted by 2025.
It was reported that 65% of PACT members plastic packaging was recyclable and the remaining non-recyclable, or non-compostable fraction has been analysed (15% film).
Are you preferentially using PACT members as suppliers of goods? If not consider in selection process as a full member list is available?
Does item have on pack recycling details? If not consider opportunity.
Target 4 30% average recycled content across all plastic packaging
It was reported that the members achieved an average recycled content of 10%, although the target for April 2019 was 5 – 25% dependent on plastic type.
What is the recycled content of any plastic being purchased? If below 30% take note of the UK Government intention to tax packaging containing less than 30% recycled content.
The Full text is available at https://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/The-UK-Plastics-Pact-report-18-19.pdf