UK shoppers will find it easier to recycle thin plastic packaging thanks to an agreement between supermarkets and the On Pack Recycling Label scheme. Clean plastic film, such as bread bags and cereal liners, will now be accepted at 4,500 supermarkets that currently have carrier bag banks; a new version of the on-pack label will encourage residents to take film to such larger stores.
According the British Retail Consortium, thin plastic makes up 43 per cent of all household plastic packaging and weighs 645,000 tonnes every year.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.