New analysis signifies that almost all (70%) of British shoppers admit they’re confused by what packaging can and might’t be recycled.
Undertaken by Aquapak, a developer of supplies supposed to enhance plastic recycling, the research stories that only one in 5 (21%) say they at all times learn the recycling directions on product packaging; this will increase to virtually one in three (31%) within the 25 – 34 age group however drops to 17% for these aged 65 and over. Nonetheless, virtually one in ten (9%) say they by no means hassle studying whether or not the packaging they’ve purchased could be recycled.
The survey additionally factors to an issue with the recycling directions producers are utilizing on their packaging. Solely 10% of Brits say they at all times discover directions on how one can get rid of packaging simple to grasp, over half 52% describing them as “generally” comprehensible and simply 29% saying they’re “typically” simple to grasp. When requested which on a regular basis packaging is the simplest to get rid of and recycle, over half (53%) said paper; adopted by glass (18%), plastic (13%), combined supplies (9%) and steel (e.g. aluminium) (7%).
The findings spotlight the large problem the Authorities faces on the subject of the 12 million tonnes of packaging waste thrown away within the UK yearly,2 a big proportion of which is plastic or advanced versatile packaging utilizing typical plastic which is tough to kind and recycle. To deal with the issue, the Authorities launched Prolonged Producer Accountability (EPR) on 1 January 2025, which is meant to shift the duty from shoppers to producers, incentivizing them to create recyclable packaging and offering clearer steerage to shoppers, finally resulting in a extra easy and fewer complicated recycling course of.
EPR mandates using universally comprehensible labels on packaging, indicating whether or not an merchandise is recyclable or not, simplifying the method for shoppers. By making producers financially chargeable for the gathering and recycling of their packaging, EPR encourages them to design merchandise and packaging which might be simpler to recycle and reuse, lowering the quantity of difficult-to-recycle materials in the marketplace. EPR additionally goals to fund enhancements in recycling infrastructure and training, additional supporting simpler and extra environment friendly recycling practices.
Aquapak is asking on the Authorities to make sure that laws underpinning EPR allows producers to make use of new supplies if they’re to lower the whole environmental affect of their merchandise by transferring away for exhausting to recycle typical plastics.
Dr John Williams, Chief Technical Officer at Aquapak, commented: “Our analysis findings recommend that there’s a very lengthy technique to go on the subject of making packaging recyclability within the UK simple to grasp for the patron, notably as a lot of it comprises exhausting to recycle plastic materials. There must be a big shift away from the established order for packaging. New laws ought to assist sooner adoption of innovation that’s particularly developed to retain packaging performance, assist recyclability and supply protected finish of life choices if optimum waste administration processes usually are not accessible.
“We’d additionally argue that if the goal of EPR is to make sure that producers actively have interaction in sustainable practices and reduce the whole environmental affect from their merchandise and packaging, we will’t maintain utilizing the identical instruments and supplies to repair the issue. Prolonged duty should additionally imply an extension to incorporate using confirmed new supplies to assist producers recycle extra successfully with out compromising the integrity of their merchandise.”
Aquapak has developed a putatively marine-safe, non-toxic polymer expertise known as Hydropol.
Notes
[1] Analysis performed with 751 UK adults by Client Intelligence 1 February 2025
