THE THROWAWAY PLASTIC PACKAGING THAT WILL GO

BLACK TRAYS

The colour of the trays means they cannot be picked out by laser sorting systems installed on conveyor belts in recycling plants. As a result, billions of the trays - used for fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish and ready meals - are not being recycled. Instead, they are diverted to landfill or are burned for energy. Iceland is working on a white tray made from wood pulp. Waitrose says it will phase out the trays by the end of next year. Morrisons will eliminate them from its fresh produce by 2020.

TRAYS ON FRESH FISH AND MEAT COUNTERS

Shoppers will be able to bring in their own containers for purchases of fresh meat and fish, rather than relying on plastic ones, as part of a trial at some Morrisons stores.

PLASTIC BAGS FOR FRUIT AND VEG

Morrisons has announced a trial at some stores that will involve removing plastic bags for fresh fruit and vegetables. Instead, customers will return to buying produce loose, as happens in many supermarkets in Europe and the US. However, advocates of the plastic packaging claim it protects the produce and so reduces food waste.

PIZZA BASES

Stores routinely use polystyrene pizza bases, which cannot be recycled. Asda and others are switching to cardboard bases.

LAUNDRY LIQUID

Stores will trial allowing shoppers to bring in refillable bottles to buy laundry liquid rather than buying a new plastic bottle every time.

BAGS FOR FROZEN FOOD

Iceland is working on a plant based alternative to the plastic bags used to hold frozen produce. It looks and feels like plastic, but rots down like paper. Asda is doing the same and claims it will be the first of the ‘big four’ supermarkets to drop plastic packaging from own-label frozen foods.

PLASTIC BOTTLES

Bottles will include more recycled plastic - an average of 30 per cent by 2025 - under the UK Plastics Pact. The Government is planning a deposit and return scheme on drinks bottles and cans to ensure more are recycled. Coca-Cola and Evian already use around 25 per cent recycled materials and plan to increase this. The Co-op recently launched a water bottle made from 50 per cent recycled plastic in a UK first. Asda is switching its coloured plastic drinks bottles to clear, making them easier to recycle.

STRAWS

The UK is predicted to use 42 billion plastic straws this year. Michael Gove has announced plans for a ban on them that could become law before the end of this year. A number of supermarkets, pubs and restaurants have introduced voluntary bans. Iceland, Morrisons, Wetherspoons, Pret a Manger, Costa, Crussh and Leon are among those that have stopped offering plastic straws. McDonald’s has switched to paper straws at some UK outlets.

COTTON BUDS

The ban on plastic straws will also cover cotton buds made with a plastic stem. Many retailers, such as Waitrose, The Body Shop, Boots, Wilko, Muji, Organic, Co-op, Sainsbury’s and M&S already offer plastic-free

versions.

PLASTIC POUCHES

Soft plastic and laminated foil pouches, which are commonly used for pet food, baby food, coffee and some drinks, cannot be recycled because they use different materials that are fused together and are impossible to separate. Manufacturers are developing alernatives.

CRISP PACKETS

The packets are made from a metallised plastic film, which is not currently recyclable. Pepsico, which makes Walkers, says it is working on alternatives.