Eliminating problem plastics

A considered approach 

Plastics are used in all sorts of positive ways like protecting the food we buy and preventing it from becoming waste before it reaches our kitchens and fridges. However for all the positive applications and uses of plastic there are many that are problematic and unnecessary, exacerbating the issue of plastic waste in the natural environment. 

The actions that UK Plastics Pact business members are taking are the first steps towards ensuring that our supermarket shelves are free of problematic and unnecessary plastics. 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. 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.

What are problematic and unnecessary plastics?  

Plastic packaging can be problematic or unnecessary:

• If its use is avoidable or reusable options are available;
• if it’s not recyclable or hampers the recycling process; or
• if it pollutes our environment.

An action group of UK Plastics Pact members defined the term problematic or unnecessary as “Single-use plastic items where consumption could be avoided through elimination, reuse or replacement and items that, post-consumption, commonly do not enter recycling and composting systems, or where they do, are not recycled due to their format, composition or size.”

The eight to be eliminated 

1. Disposable plastic cutlery 
2. All polystyrene packaging 
3. Cotton buds with plastic stems 
4. Plastic stirrers 
5. Plastic straws 
6. Oxo-degradables that break down to create microplastics 
7. PVC packaging 
8. Disposable plastic plates and bowls 

And that’s just the beginning