WRAP sets out guidelines for compostable packaging

WRAP has set out a series of guidelines in a bid to combat confusion over compostable packaging.

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According to the organisation, the new advice will help businesses make informed choices over compostable packaging.

WRAP said that the key potential uses for compostable packaging are:

  • Food caddy liners (and other bags such as carrier bags or fruit and vegetable bags that could be used as food caddy liners);
  • Fruit and vegetable stickers;
  • Tea bags;
  • Coffee pods;
  • Ready meal trays;
  • ‘Closed loop’ situations such as festivals.

Helen Bird, strategic engagement manager at WRAP, said: “We know from research that 77% of citizens believe that compostable plastic is better for the environment than other types of packaging. However, compostable plastic is still plastic, and it is no silver bullet for solving plastic pollution.

“Businesses need to be clear on when it is viable, given the complexities surrounding current treatment infrastructure. When it comes to recyclability, WRAP is clear that a claim of ‘recyclable’ should only be made if it can be recycled in practice. The same should be applied to compostable plastics. And it is critical that end markets for recycled plastics are not compromised; people need clear instruction not to place compostable plastics in the recycling bin.

“But there are certain applications where it can be a helpful alternative to conventional plastics; absolute no-brainers include fruit stickers and tea bags. This new guidance will help steer decision-making on this complex and high-profile topic.”

WRAP added that the guidance not only highlights the importance of communicating with citizens to ensure they end up using the correct bin, but the challenges in doing so owing to the current infrastructure.

The development was greeted with optimism by Paul Mines, chief executive of Biome Bioplastics who said: “It’s very encouraging to see WRAP and the UK Plastics Pact recognise that compostable plastics have a pivotal role to play in the UK’s packaging industry, particularly when it comes to ensuring food-contaminated materials and packaging do not end up in landfill. They have also acknowledged that bringing more compostable plastics to market will help reduce the amount of plastic infiltrating our soils following anaerobic digestion and composting processes.

“New bio-based and compostable materials are crucial to solving our global plastic predicament. Biome has long-supported improvements to the UK’s waste management infrastructure, particularly composting, to support the growing share of compostable materials used in packaging. It’s encouraging that WRAP is starting to align with our views, and we are excited by the prospect of this direction of travel.”