WRAP has this week launched its new campaign Clear On Plastics, which sets out to give clear information to consumers about plastic use in packaging.
Clear on Plastics sets out to give consumers information they need to know about plastics so they can make “informed and sustainable” choices.
On the campaign website, WRAP sets out answers to questions that challenge the use of plastic – such as “Are all plastics bad?” and “What are compostable plastics?”.
For example, WRAP poses the question, “Why can’t we just ban all plastic packaging?”
In response to this, it says: “Banning all plastic packaging doesn’t solve the plastic problem.
The UK recycling system isn’t perfect. It’s difficult for us to recycle some types of plastic but there is a huge amount of work being done to improve UK recycling infrastructure
“The problem is when plastic ends up as litter in our oceans, where it causes harm to the environment or in landfill where its value is lost. The way to stop this is to reduce, re-use and recycle plastics.”
It also sets out a case for when plastic as a packaging material is needed.
On tackling the worry some residents have that recycling simply isn’t worth it, WRAP states: “The UK recycling system isn’t perfect. It’s difficult for us to recycle some types of plastic but there is a huge amount of work being done to improve UK recycling infrastructure.
“We need to continue this momentum for the environment and the economy. Plastic is a valuable resource that we need to keep in use, and out of our natural world.”
WRAP says it will continue to update the website with responses to consumers’ latest queries on plastics.
“We review the questions and issues you have about plastics and update the site regularly to bring you new information and insight based on the latest evidence and scientific research,” it says.
Peter Maddox, Director of WRAP UK, said: “When we set up The UK Plastics Pact we committed to uniting an entire supply chain with a common goal to keeping plastics in the economy and out of the environment. We also committed to engaging with citizens, who are concerned about the environment and want to understand how they can play their part. But we know that navigating the issues around this complex material can be tricky.
“We’ve listened to the most common areas for confusion and have designed Clear on Plastics to address those, so that citizens are empowered to make their own informed decisions when it comes to plastics.”
