£60m fund set up for sustainable plastics
PLASTIC made from food waste and plants is on the horizon after the Government announced £60 million in funding to develop biodegradable packaging to prevent pollution.
Around 80 million tons of plastic packaging is produced globally each year and if left unchecked, the amount is expected to triple by 2050.
But 95 per cent is binned after just one use, with much ending up in landfill or the oceans where it breaks down and is ingested by wildlife.
Today, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announced research and development funding to help scientists and companies find alternatives to single-use, non-biodegradable materials, such as using plants instead of oils to make plastic.
Some companies are well on the way to developing new packaging, such as London-based start-up Skipping Rocks Lab, which has invented a material made from seaweed and plants that biodegrades in just four to six weeks.
The new material was recently used in a trial by Just Eat for its condiments and as an alternative to plastic bottles at this year’s London Marathon.
Greg Clark, the Business Secretary, said: “We have all seen the enormous damage being caused by single-use plastics across the world. The race is on to develop new effective and practical solutions to end the scourge of singleuse plastics.
“This is a unique opportunity for our world-leading businesses and innovators to develop the materials of the future with the potential to transform our economy as well as our environment.”
This month The Daily Telegraph launched a Zero Waste campaign to encourage manufacturers to cut down on single-use plastic and make it easier for people to recycle. Consumer pressure has seen brands increasingly shift away from non-recyclable packaging.
Today, Sainsbury’s announced the removal of all plastic bags for loose fruit and vegetables in stores in Lincoln and Kidlington, Oxon, and will roll out the scheme nationwide if successful.
Customers will have the option of bringing their own containers or purchasing a reusable drawstring bag made from recycled materials for 30p.
Judith Batchelar, the director of Sainsbury’s brand, said: “We’re pleased to be making a further commitment to our customers as we work with them to offer new ways to reduce unnecessary plastic. We look forward to hearing how our customers respond and adapt throughout the trial.”
Sainsbury’s recently launched water refill stations at more than 300 stores as well as Reverse Vending Recycling trials, which allow customers to return plastic bottles and drinks cans bought from Sainsbury’s in exchange for 5p coupons towards their shop.
The new £60 million fund is the largest ever made for a single project and the Government is expecting the private sector to invest £149million to find packaging alternatives.
Prof Sir Mark Walport, chief executive of UK Research and Innovation, said: “The new investment will establish the UK as a leading innovator in smart and sustainable plastic packaging solutions, delivering cleaner growth across the supply chain, with a dramatic reduction in plastic waste entering the environment by 2025.”