Supermarkets vow to cut single-use plastic

Non-recyclable 5p carrier bags, squeezy ketchup bottles and snap yogurt pots face ban by 2025

Every major supermarket in Britain has today pledged to eradicate unnecessary single-use plastics by 2025, under a new “UK Plastics Pact”. The agreement, organised by Wrap, the government-backed waste charity, is a world-leading collaborative effort by Britain’s biggest consumer companies to tackle the scourge of plastic waste on the environment. It means single-use plastics will only be allowed if they are deemed absolutely necessary and are recyclable.

EVERY major supermarket in Britain has today pledged to eradicate unnecessary single-use plastics by 2025, under a new “UK Plastics Pact”.

The agreement, organised by Wrap, the government-backed waste charity, is a world-leading collaborative effort by Britain’s biggest consumer companies to tackle the scourge of plastic waste on the environment.

It means single-use plastics will only be allowed if they are deemed absolutely necessary and are made from recyclable materials.

Non-recyclable plastics including single-use 5p carrier bags, squeezy ketchup bottles, snap pots of yogurt, and multi-bags of fruit and vegetables, could all be banned if they cannot be made recyclable. More than 40 firms have promised that all the plastic packaging they produce will be reusable, recyclable or compostable within seven years, while two thirds will be recycled or composted, up from 45 per cent today.

The movement’s success will depend heavily on consumers increasing the amount of plastic the recycle at home, however.

To ensure this happens, Wrap is planning a major public awareness campaign later this year.

Recycling units across the UK have also signed the pledge and will start recycling a wider variety of plastics that currently go to landfill.

Over the next seven years, supermarkets will stop using “unnecessary” plastic packaging, such as multi-packs of fruit and vegetables, which are expected to be ditched in favour of loose.

Black plastic trays commonly used for ready meals are also expected to be phased out or modified, as well as nonrecyclable plastic wraps on items such as yogurts, juices, herbs and flowers.

The move could also spell the end of squeezy bottles of ketchup and mayonnaise, as the silicone component can contaminate other recycling. An “alternative solution” would need to be found, Wrap said. Snap pots of yogurts, beans and other foods are also under threat as a result of the pledge, as the polystyrene used to make them is not always recyclable.

The move is a world first, with other countries expected to follow the UK’S lead in the coming years. Firms that have signed up will be monitored regularly by Wrap to ensure they are making progress, but Wrap said it would not publicly name and shame companies failing to keep to their promise.

Major food brands including Nestlé, Coca-cola, Bird’s Eye, Britvic and Arla also pledged to eradicate unnecessary single-use plastic and will radically change their packaging as a result.

Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, said: “I am delighted to see so many businesses sign up to this pact and I hope others will soon follow suit.”

Marcus Gover, the chief executive of Wrap, said: “Together, we have a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to rethink and reshape the future of plastic so that we retain its value, and curtail the damage plastic waste wreaks on our planet.”