A new nationwide survey by BB-REG-NET with more than 2,000 UK adult responders, has found broad public support for compostable packaging in the UK, alongside growing frustration with how current waste and tax policies handle sustainable materials. The findings point to a clear disconnect between consumer expectations, environmental goals and the regulatory frameworks shaping packaging choices today.
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The research was published by the UK’s regulatory science network for bio-based and biodegradable materials, and draws on responses from across the country.
Public Support for Government Action on Compostable Packaging
The survey shows that nearly three-quarters of UK adults believe the government should actively encourage the use of compostable packaging. This support extends beyond general sentiment, with a majority also backing financial intervention when renewable or compostable options are more expensive than conventional plastic.
In addition, over 60 % of respondents said public incentives would be justified where sustainable packaging carries a higher cost, reflecting recognition that price remains a major barrier to wider adoption of bio-based materials.
Consumer Interest Is High, but Behavior Is Constrained
Interest in environmentally responsible packaging is strong. Over half of respondents said choosing products with the lowest environmental impact packaging matters to them, and a similar proportion said clearer information about packaging materials would influence what they buy.
Despite this, only around a quarter reported deliberately purchasing compostable-packaged products in the past year. As it seems, limited availability, unclear disposal instructions and higher prices were cited as the main reasons compostable options are not chosen more often.
Confusion Around Recycling and Composting Persists
The survey highlights widespread uncertainty about how packaging waste is handled once it leaves households. While many consumers feel disposal labels are easy to follow, far fewer understand what actually happens to waste after collection, or trust that recycling is completed as intended.
Misunderstanding is particularly pronounced for flexible plastics such as snack wrappers, bread bags and pet food pouches. A significant proportion of respondents believe these materials can be recycled at the curbside, despite most local authorities not offering this service. Evidence referenced in the study suggests that a large share of soft plastics collected via supermarket schemes is ultimately incinerated rather than recycled.
Compostable packaging presents a similar challenge. Many respondents were unsure whether compostable items break down properly when placed in food waste collections, with confusion worsened by inconsistent council policies on what is accepted.
Cost and Regulation Still Favor Fossil-Based Plastics
The report underscores a structural imbalance in the current policy landscape. Bio-based raw materials are typically two to three times more expensive than fossil-based alternatives, yet existing tax and EPR systems do little to offset this difference.
Under current rules, fossil plastics can qualify for tax exemptions by meeting recycled content thresholds, while packaging made entirely from renewable resources receives no equivalent recognition. Compostable packaging, even when independently certified, is also classified as non-recyclable under the EPR recycling assessment methodology, limiting its acceptance within compliance schemes.
Industry Voices Call for Policy Alignment
Industry stakeholders involved in the research argue that compostable packaging is being held back not by technical performance, but by regulatory design. In foodservice and food-contact applications, compostable packaging can help capture food waste and allow packaging and food to be treated together, reducing contamination and waste losses.
However, misaligned EPR rules and taxation frameworks risk discouraging investment and slowing innovation, despite rising consumer demand for sustainable alternatives.
Recommendations for a More Coherent System
The report calls for a series of targeted reforms to close the gap between public expectations and regulatory practice. These include clearer, consistent labelling across sectors, harmonized collection systems for compostable materials, formal recognition of composting as a valid end-of-life route and increased investment in composting infrastructure.
Conclusion
UK consumers are ready to support compostable and bio-based packaging, but current systems make it difficult for that demand to translate into real-world impact. For the packaging industry, the findings of the research reinforce the need for regulatory frameworks that reflect material performance, environmental outcomes and public expectations alike. As the UK develops its wider circular economy strategy, the challenge will be turning this strong public mandate into policies that enable, rather than constrain, sustainable packaging solutions.
