In a recently published article by Sustainable Packaging Europe, Josh Pitman, Managing Director of Priory Direct calls out UK retailers and suppliers that label soft plastic packaging as “recyclable” for greenwashing, due to the country’s limited recycling infrastructure. He argues that these labels are misleading and contribute to environmental harm, as the UK’s infrastructure can only handle a small fraction of the Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) waste.
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Misleading Recycling Labels and Greenwashing
It is highlighted that many retailers label plastic bags and LDPE packaging with the universal recycling symbol, giving consumers a false impression of environmental responsibility. That is because, despite LDPE being technically recyclable, the UK currently recycles only about 10,000 tonnes of it annually, a tiny portion of the 290,000 tonnes of plastic bags and wrapping discarded each year, according to WRAP, a climate action NGO. This practice, Pitman says, amounts to “virtue signaling” by retailers, suggesting they are environmentally responsible for most of this plastic ending up in landfills.
Challenges in the UK’s Recycling Infrastructure
The UK’s recycling infrastructure is severely limited, particularly for soft plastics. As of 2017, only 18 % of local authorities offered kerbside collection for LDPE plastic film, as mentioned in a previous Priority Direct article, and significant improvements aren’t expected until 2027, when mandatory kerbside collections for flexible plastics are introduced.
A Call for Genuine Sustainability Efforts
It is also emphasized that, while businesses have a significant responsibility to reduce their environmental impact, consumers also play a crucial role. Consumers encouraged to use specialist recycling points and clean their plastic waste before recycling to avoid contamination. The issue of greenwashing by retailers highlights the gap between environmental aspirations and reality, and for the UK to meet its environmental goals, both businesses and consumers must adopt more responsible practices.
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