British Plastics Federation urges firms to report false recycled content claims

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) is calling on businesses to report suspected cases of fraudulent claims relating to recycled plastic content to the Environment Agency.

The UK’s leading trade association for the plastics industry, which represents the entire supply chain including recyclers, has raised concerns that some manufacturers may be misrepresenting the amount of recycled material in their products. In some cases, products may not contain recycled content at all, while others may significantly overstate the proportion used.

Motivations behind such misrepresentation could include evading the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) or using unsubstantiated environmental claims to enhance marketing appeal—particularly for non-packaging items.

The BPF has long advocated for the introduction of a nationally agreed verification or certification scheme to ensure accurate reporting of recycled content. It argues that such frameworks are essential for maintaining a level playing field and supporting legitimate businesses that adhere to regulations. Ultimately, the organisation sees the need for a robust international system to maximise the use of recycled plastics and protect the environment.

In addition to encouraging businesses to report suspected fraud, the BPF believes stronger enforcement measures are needed to deter dishonest practices. The trade body also highlights the importance of increasing investment in domestic recycling infrastructure, which would improve material traceability and reduce opportunities for illicit activity.

BPF Sustainability Manager Helen Jordan states: Recycled plastic is a low-carbon material, suitable for use in a huge number of products – not simply packaging. We’d like the government to encourage investment in improving the UK’s plastic recycling infrastructure while also taking steps to minimise opportunities for fraud. And we call on companies to report any instances of fraud they encounter to the Environment Agency so that appropriate measures can be taken against them. The more fraud is reported, the more it will be on the minds of those in government.

Earlier this year, the BPF submitted a letter to HMRC expressing concern about the potential scale of fraud linked to the PPT. It hopes to see the issue receive greater attention in Parliament, with a view to developing effective safeguards. The Federation is aware of businesses that claim to have been forced to close due to unfair competition from fraudulent actors.