Packaging in London produces 4.1 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, with almost half of the emissions generated by plastic packaging alone, according to new report.
The 4.1 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions is equivalent to around half the emissions generated by London’s transport network.
ReLondon, Valpak and WRAP plan to launch the research’s findings during London’s 7th annual Circular Economy Week.
The research found that around 2.2 million tonnes of packaging are consumed and disposed of every year in London by residents, visitors and businesses, which is equivalent to almost 250kg per person.
Of the 2.2 million tonnes of packaging, 44% of household waste and 33% of commercial waste is recycled, according to the research.
While visitors accounted for 30% of consumer packaging use in London, they accounted for 55% of packaging thrown away in street bins as well as in hotels, restaurants and offices.
The research, conducted by Valpak and commissioned by ReLondon, is the first study to use a material flow analysis methodology to measure the climate impacts of packaging use at a city level.
The methodology highlights the impacts through a consumption lens to analyse the whole lifecycle impacts of packaging rather than just production-related emissions.
The research found the 76% of greenhouse gas emissions associated with London’s packaging supply chain have already been produced by the time the packaging leaves the factory gate.
The next largest source of emissions is the incineration of packaging waste, which contributes to 20% of London’s packaging emissions.
What is the solution?
The report identifies three ways to reduce the amount of emissions packaging generates.
Increasing recycled content in plastic packaging by up to 60%, which the research said could result in a 7.8% reduction in emissions.
Reducing or eliminating excess packaging through reuse and refill schemes, or removing fruit and vegetable packaging, which could potentially achieve a 5.8% reduction in emissions for the packaging categories considered in the report.
Increasing collection and recycling rates to 70% for packaging overall, and 55% for plastic packaging specifically, which the report said could lead to a 9.1% reduction in emissions.
Wayne Hubbard, CEO of ReLondon, commented: “Our new report, ‘London’s packaging footprint’, identifies the significant contribution that packaging, and in particular plastic packaging, makes to London’s carbon emissions – equivalent to half of London’s transport emissions.
“A startling three quarters of these emissions occur before packaging even reaches the consumer, as they are caused mainly by its production and distribution.
“The transition to a low carbon circular economy provides a real opportunity to reduce our emissions, make our economy more resilient and promote growth in more sustainable and circular business models – and Circular Economy Week this year has a strong focus on the growth potential for the UK in moving to a zero waste economy.”
