The next step

For details of the consultation on recycled plastic packaging

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For further information on the planned deposit scheme

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Are we winning the war on plastic?

Good to bad

With the economy on hold, the pandemic resulted in much less demand for food on-the-go and as a result consumption of some single-use plastics reduced significantly. However, with single-use PPE in high demand, and rising, it’s clear that the burden of plastic waste is something society needs to tackle.

Too much

Research team Our World In Data reports that when the last comprehensive global dataset was compiled in 2015, 381m tonnes of plastic were produced. In the same year, 55% of plastic waste was discarded, 25% was incinerated causing carbon emissions, and only 20% was recycled. In May 2020 it predicted that the global market for packaging would grow by 5.5% during the pandemic, with plastic taking the lead spot.

In April 2020 it was reported by the UK’s Foodservice Packaging Association that single-use cups and wrapped single-use cutlery “are in huge demand” . The British Plastics Federation also confirmed that its members, which supply packaging for food and drink, bleach, soap and medicines, were operating at record capacities.

Not all bad news

With luck, the increase in demand for plastic will be temporary and planned initiatives will start to show some benefits in the short to medium term.

For example, the government has committed to introducing a deposit return scheme for drinks containers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2023, and the Scottish government has passed legislation to introduce a scheme in 2022 (see The next step ).

Moving in the right direction

Another change in the pipeline is the ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds. Defra confirmed in April that due to the pandemic and subsequent disruptions, the ban would be delayed until October 2020.

Scotland has already banned plastic-stemmed cotton buds. Other items, including cutlery, plates and food and drink containers made of expanded polystyrene, will also be banned or restricted in Scotland by July 2021, and if Welsh government proposals gain ground, they’ll follow suit.

Tax plans

The government has consulted on a proposal to tax plastic packaging which does not meet a minimum threshold of at least 30% recycled content from April 2022 (see The next step ).

Tip. Now is not the time to rush into the removal of single-use plastics which provide hygiene benefits. However, prepare to press on with your plans once the crisis is over. Consumer commitment to green issues is expected to bounce back once the pandemic has ended.

For further information on the planned deposit scheme and for details of the consultation on recycled plastic packaging, visit http://tipsandadvice-environment.co.uk/download (EN 15.03.02).