Collections of plastic bags and wrapping to go nationwide, via a supermarket near you

• The range of plastic bags and wrapping currently collected at many supermarkets is soon to expand to include salad bags, crisp packets and biscuit wrappers.
• Currently only 6% of plastic bags and wrapping are recycled in the UK, while flexible plastic packaging make up a fifth of all plastic packaging put on the market.
• In store collections to be more prominent and consistent – new guide explains how to take collections nationwide.

By the end of the year, a much larger proportion of the population will be able to take all types of plastic bags and wrapping into their local supermarkets to be collected for sorting and recycling, including items like salad bags, crisp packets, biscuit wrappers, bread bags and frozen food bags.

Currently, while many supermarkets provide front of store recycling points for carrier bags and other bags made of the same plastic (polythene), there is confusion among citizens about whether flexible plastic packaging can be recycled, and what their options are to recycle it. According to WRAP, plastic bags and wrapping are one of the most searched for items on the charity’s Recycle Now website.

But with nearly all supermarkets signed up to The UK Plastics Pact, new guidance issued today by WRAP means many more retailers can introduce consistent collections for more types of flexible plastic packaging and help divert more from landfill or incineration.

Presently, less than 20% of local authorities collect plastic bags and wrapping as part of their kerbside recycling service. And until kerbside collections of flexible plastic packaging are rolled out widely - the timing of which is currently being consulted on by Government - a significant proportion of the public say they’re happy to take these items into a supermarket for recycling.

The new guidance outlines best practice for introducing or refining existing collections. It calls for the collection of all types of plastic bags and wrapping used for everyday items such as salad bags, crisp packets and biscuit wrappers, as well as the current commonly collected items such as carrier bags, bread bags and frozen food bags.

The guidance calls for consistency in language and ease of use. WRAP also highlights that design of packaging plays a critical role, which will often determine whether the material gets recycled - urging businesses to move packaging into simpler ‘mono-material’ design. The guide also stresses that businesses play a critical role in stipulating recycled content in products and packaging wherever possible, in order to create the demand for the recycled plastic.

Collection bags in store

Ahead of the roll-out of all types of plastic bags and wrapping being accepted more widely, many supermarkets are already accepting some types. This includes soft stretchy plastic used for carrier bags, frozen food bags, bread bags and toilet roll wrap. In March, Tesco announced 171 stores are collecting all types of plastic bags and wrapping across the South West of England and Wales, with plans to roll this out to all stores nationwide. Sainsbury’s is trialling collection in the North East with full rollout expected by the end of this year. Other supermarkets are also trialling, including Co-op in 51 stores across the South East.

Marcus Gover, CEO WRAP “I am delighted that, through the UK Plastics Pact, the proportion of the population able to recycle all types of plastic bags and wrapping at supermarkets is on the increase, and we expect that by the end of the year it will be widely available. It is a critical step forwards when just 6% of plastics bags and wrapping currently get recycled – despite making up 22% of all plastic packaging by weight. Ensuring that consumers have consistent information on where to recycle plastic bags and wrappers is also critical”.

Iain Ferguson, Environment Manager, Co-op “Co-op is committed to making it easy for households to recycle all of their plastic food packaging, to prevent unnecessary waste and reduce pollution. Our own trials inform us that shoppers support simple solutions to these everyday issues with accessible disposal routes and clear messaging. We welcome the industry guidance which is designed to simplify recycling for consumers.”

Mike Maxwell, UK plastic bag and wrapping recycler, Jayplas “Our film sortation plant will sort this material by polymer type and colour and will contribute towards the UK significantly - increasing its recycling rates under the aims of the UK Plastics Pact.”

Mike Baxter, External Affairs Director at plastics recycler Berry Group "Having already recycled front of store collected plastic packaging, we well understand the challenges. We have proved these materials can be recycled and MOST importantly, re-manufactured into new packaging. However, we can’t do this on our own, all stakeholders have an important role to play. Especially by ensuring purchasers of packaging specify front of store recyclate is included in raw material specifications.”

The Recycle Now website details which supermarkets offer instore collections of flexible plastic packaging: https://www.recyclenow.com/local-recycling