Every product takes a unique journey through the supply chain before reaching store shelves. But what about the packaging trail it leaves behind? To bring this into focus, let’s take a closer look at a product in high demand among UK consumers and produced across the country: British beef. In 2023, UK farmers supplied 80.9% of the beef that was consumed nationwide, offering a clear case for tracing the role of packaging closer to home. Beef is a nationally relevant product be

The plastic industry is pushing back against the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), claiming it “discriminates” against plastic. In a joint statement, three major trade associations, European Plastics Converters, IK, and Elipso, argued that the proposed regulation unfairly singles out plastic by imposing specific bans on plastic packaging, while providing exemptions for other materials. They claim the PPWR sets out different rules for plastics when it comes

Africa is disproportionately affected by plastic pollution despite contributing just 5% of global plastic production. Waste dumping, discarded textiles and plastic products sold by multinational corporations reflect a wider environmental injustice whereby waste generated in the Global North is exported to lower-income countries. This has prompted many environmental campaigners to describe the practice as plastic colonialism. Yet this is only part of the story. Alongside the

The UK’s recycling rates are around 70% lower than in leading Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) countries with return rates exceeding 90% such as Germany, Finland and Norway. Financially incentivising recycling and reducing waste is important, but our end goal must be a reuse, not throwaway, economy. A DRS that includes glass is key. Glass is infinitely recyclable (although currently energy intensive). Inclusion of glass, as seen in Wales’ proposed model, helps improve resource re

Paper-based packaging. Following the recognition of the harmful environmental and social impact of plastics, paper packaging has been adopted as a sustainable and ‘eco-friendly’ alternative. Paper-based packaging has become the largest source of packaging waste in the European Union, accounting for 41.1% of packaging waste – more than plastic and glass combined. While paper packaging may seem like a sustainable solution, research has highlighted the sustainability challenges

The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is an important step towards reducing litter and waste, but real progress means moving away from single-use packaging entirely. There are different types of DRS, some focusing on recycling single-use items, whilst others, particularly for glass, promote reuse. The idea behind DRS in the UK is to incentivise consumers to recycle drinks containers, but focusing on a reuse system is a better option. Recycling plastic doesn’t always work. When it

As consumers, we often view the market through a “what’s inside” lens. The delicious pastry in its bag, moisturizing cream in its tub or brand-new clothes wrapped in plastic. But what about the outside? These discarded layers might not feel like our choice, yet they quietly become a part of our daily lives, and our growing waste problem. Packaging waste has been rising over the past decade and in response, the EU launched its European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Econ