Tesco, Arla and Belu Water are among the founding members of the UK Packaging Pact which will act as successor to the UK Plastics Pact.
Wrap this week announced the names of the first 55 companies that have signed up to the new collaboration, which aims to expand the industry’s focus beyond plastics to address all packaging materials.
It comes as the NGO, which will lead the new pact with support from PackUK and the UK Government, revealed mixed results from its latest progress report for the UK Plastics Pact.
Data for 2024 showed that 99.9% of problematic plastic items and 85% of problematic polystyrene packaging and PVC have been removed since 2018 against a 2025 target of 100%.
At 28%, the target for 30% average recycled content in plastic packaging is also close to being met.
However, there is work to do in other areas with only 71.6% of plastic packaging currently reusable, recyclable, or compostable versus a 100% target, and just 53% of plastic packaging being effectively recycled or composted versus a 70% target.
Wrap said the UK Packaging Pact would accelerate the UK’s transition to a circular economy by optimising packaging, scaling reuse and refill, supporting circular infrastructure investment, and harmonising data.
The voluntary agreement widens the focus to all materials commonly used in packaging, and also expands the range of sectors involved, with organisations producing products from food and drink, beauty care, pet products and household goods invited to join.
Foodservice and hospitality sector businesses are notable by their absence from the initial wave of signatories, although the British Beer & Pub Association is among the founding members as are waste management companies including Biffa, Suez Recycling Recovery UK and Veolia.
“Collaboration works and it’s delivering real change,” said Wrap CEO Catherine David. “Unrecyclable black plastic is gone, recycling is rising, and unnecessary packaging is disappearing. But the scale of the challenge demands more.
“Plastic pollution remains a global crisis, and with the failure to secure a global treaty, the need for bold, systemic action has never been greater. We must accelerate the step change to circular living, driving reuse, tackling plastic film, and enabling the impact of upcoming recycling reforms.”
