Introduction
Single-use plastic packaging is made from plastic polymers and is used once before disposal. Not all single-use plastics are deemed “problematic” or “unnecessary”, and with a recovery stream, can be suitable packaging formats.
It is however important to understand what single-use plastics are problematic or unnecessary, as well as the current regulations and targets around single-use plastics. Here's what you need to know.
Current bans and targets
Single-use plastic bans and regulations in the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU)
The UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has single-use plastic bans and restrictions that you should be aware of. These impact specific product and packaging formats including certain plates, bowls, trays and containers.
The EU also has a Single-Use Plastics Directive from 2019 which outlines tailored and proportionate measures to get the most effective results for 10 single-use plastic items that are commonly found on European beaches. This includes directives to eliminate particular items, introduce design requirements such as tethered caps, introduce labelling requirements and introduce waste management and clean up obligations for producers. You can find out more about these regulations in our article Understand the EU single-use plastics directive.
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