It’s aimed the outcome will be a reduction in the amount of plastic on shop shelves, a reduction in demand for virgin plastic and avoiding up to 1 tonne of Co2 per tonne that is recycled.
The eight for elimination:
Disposable plastic cutlery
All polystyrene packaging
Cotton buds with plastic stems
Plastic stirrers
Oxo-degradables that break down creating microplastics
Plastic straws
Disposable plastic plates and bowls
PVC packaging
In addition, nineteen single use plastic items and materials are to be actively investigated with UK Plastics Pact members. These include:
Plastic bags – avoidable and limited film recycling.
Plastic film packaging – crisps, fruit and vegetable film packaging.
Multi-layer non-recyclable plastics – pouches not widely recycled.
Multi-pack rings for canned drinks
Multi-veg/fruit net bags
Multi-buy bulk (secondary) wrapping
PVC cling film
Bottle tops/caps
Single-use drinks bottles
Non-recyclable coloured plastics – including carbon black plastic (WRAP is encouraging members to have this issue resolved by the end of 2019).
Fruit & veg punnets/trays
Internal plastic trays
Disposable plastic cups
Fruit/veg stickers – contaminates compost, not recycled.
Plastic cup lids (hot beverage cups)
Plastic coffee pods
Milk and salad dressing jiggers, single serving pots and sachets Tear off tamper evident strips on containers
Defining “problematic”
WRAP today has also published its definition of what is meant as “problematic” or “unnecessary” plastics, which relies on the following criteria:
Where it is avoidable, or a re-usable alternative is available.
When it cannot be recycled, or it hampers the recycling process.
When it is commonly littered and pollutes the environment.
Solving these problems will require collaboration and effort from all businesses and involve a range of actions such as considering re-fills, improved packaging design and optimising recycling, WRAP says.
A key element is also ensuring that citizens are both motivated to recycle, and are clear on what can be recycled and how to recycle it.
WRAP warns however, in seeking to overcome the problems with these plastics, any “unintended consequences” that could lead to further global warming must be avoided.
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