Resources

The UK Plastics Pact is transforming the way that the UK makes, uses and disposes of plastic. 

Over halfway to our 2025 targets, the Roadmap sets out the specific milestones and activities which are critical if we are to achieve our goals in the years remaining.

In February 2022 the UK Government published a Levelling Up White Paper, outlining policy interventions which aim to improve opportunity and boost livelihoods across the country as we recover from the pandemic.  At the same time, as the Government seeks to deliver its Net Zero Strategy.  The challenge is therefore how we can level up and grow our economy whilst also reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.

A consistent methodology for businesses to measure and track progress in reducing supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

This report summarises the methods and findings of a project to understand the impacts of enhanced material sampling on facilities that receive recyclables.

Ground-breaking research into the relationship between plastic packaging and five fruit and vegetable items frequently wasted at home, as well as the impact of date labels and storage temperatures, reveals significant opportunities to reduce both food waste and plastic packaging.

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.

The research looked at: 

• If packaging extends the shelf life of fruit and vegetables;
• If selling items loose enables households to buy an appropriate amount for their needs; and
• How people make decisions about when to throw away fruit and vegetables, and what role does a ‘Best Before’ date have on these decisions.

This report details information gathered about single use cups and on the go fibre-composite food packaging.

The aim of this project was to gather data on the flows of single-use cups and on-the-go fibre-composite food packaging placed on market and recycled in the UK (and by nation). It also aimed to identify options for managing these items to help reduce environmental impact , and this included an assessment of potential policy measures.

Our third Annual Report provides the most complete picture of action on tackling plastic packaging waste in the UK. It combines aggregated Pact member data from right across the supply chain, with examples of members progress against the targets. This enables us pinpoint where specific action is needed.

So, three years in, what does the picture look like?

Protecting critical water resources for food supply, for nature and for local communities.

 A new Roadmap towards Water Security for Food & Drink supply.

24 November 2021, 1400-1500 GMT

There has never been a better time for forward thinking businesses to get ahead of regulation. There is a business imperative to collaborate, innovate and find ways to create both impact and commercial opportunity. The challenge is to go beyond targets by delivering practical changes that go beyond ‘greenwash’.