WRAP adds 8 more plastic packaging items to elimination list

UK sustainability charity WRAP has published an updated list of plastic packaging items recommended for elimination, adding eight new items to its guidance under the UK Plastics Pact. The move aims to further reduce the volume of problematic and unnecessary plastic packaging used across the UK.

The UK Plastics Pact, launched in 2018, brings together businesses that collectively account for around two-thirds of all consumer plastic packaging used in the country. Members commit to eliminating plastic items deemed problematic where possible, with the original 2018 list targeting widely used items such as plastic straws, stirrers, and polystyrene packaging. Since then, billions of such items have been removed from circulation.

Now, after a consultation process and evidence review, WRAP has added eight further items to its Elimination List. Members of the Pact are expected to phase these out in two stages – by the end of 2025 for the first six items, and by the end of 2027 for the remaining two.

Plastic items to be removed by end of 2025:

1. Non-NIR detectable plastics – such as black plastic packaging that cannot be identified by near-infrared sorting technology.

2. Silicone components – commonly used in closures and other functional packaging parts.

3. Flexible non-compatible multi-material plastic packaging – to be replaced with mono-material polyolefins for products including:

   • Crisp packets

   • Pet food

   • Chocolate, sweets, snack bars, cakes and biscuit wrappers

   • Pouches for cereals, nuts and seeds

   • Liquid dishwasher and laundry tabs

   • Grated cheese

   • Dry pasta, rice and grains

4. Natural and clear PET trays with PE liners

5. Wet wipes containing plastic

6. Disposable vapes

Items to be removed by end of 2027:

1. Flexible non-compatible multi-material plastic packaging – to be replaced with mono-material alternatives for:

   • Block cheese

   • Cooked meat

   • Long life and bake-at-home bread

   • Tea and coffee

   • Microwaveable pouches for baby food, pasta, rice and grains

2. Packaging with glass or metal components

WRAP says the updated guidance reflects evolving technology, infrastructure, and materials science, and supports businesses in meeting wider sustainability targets. The phased approach is intended to give businesses time to develop viable alternatives that are recyclable and compatible with existing collection and sorting systems.

More information on the UK Plastics Pact and the full Elimination List is available at wrap.org.uk.