An Introduction to the UK plastics pact.

The UK Plastics Pact consists of a group of businesses spanning the entire plastics value chain together with UK governments and NGOs that aim to tackle the issue of plastic waste in the environment.  Pact members are creating a circular economy for plastics, capturing and keeping their value by keeping them in the economy and out of the environment.

Pact members aim to eliminate problematic plastics to reducing the total amount of packaging on shelves. Stimulate innovation and new business models and help build a stronger recycling system in the UK. 

Collectively pact members will ensure that packaging is designed to be easily recycled, repurposed into new products and packaging, and together with governments ensure UK recycling goals are met.

The UK Plastics Pact is led by WRAP, is the first of a global network of Pacts, enabled by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's New Plastics Economy initiative.

Targets and Aims:

Members of the pact have pledged to meet four targets before 2025:

1. Eliminate problematic or unnecessary single-use packaging through redesign, innovation or alternative (reuse) delivery model.

2. 100% of plastics packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable.

3. 70% of plastics packaging effectively recycled or composted.

4. 30% average recycled content across all plastic packaging.

Who is supporting it?

The UK Plastics Pact is supported by some of the biggest names in retail and manufacturing: Full List here.

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