To help you source key information, we have put together our 2023 UK Packaging Sustainability Guide, listing key sustainability resources, ideal for UK-based food and drink producers, suppliers and manufacturers.
This membership group holds an annual UK glass recycling summit. The 2023 summit was on 1st June in Manchester.
They also have a resource section on their website with various sustainability reports and guides relating to the glass sector. Plus British Glass recently launched a sustainability guide which can be found here: https://britglass.org.uk/sustainability-guide
https://www.bpf.co.uk/Sustainability/Plastics_Recycling.aspx
The British Plastics Federation (BPF) website includes plastic recycling facts and frequently asked questions about plastic recycling, identifying plastic for recycling, closed loop and open loop recycling, eco-design and recyclability, post-consumer recycling, recycling and biodegradable plastics, and more…
https://www.fdf.org.uk/fdf/what-we-do/environmental-sustainability/
The FDF represents and supports food and drink companies, from ambitious sole traders and SMEs to the largest global brands. The FDF and its members are fully committed to cutting CO2 emissions, promoting efficient water use, building a more circular economy for packaging, embedding environmental standards in transport practices and reducing food waste. The FDF also wants to increase understanding of sustainable supply chains and natural capital.
https://www.foodservicepackaging.org.uk/
The FPA is the voice of the foodservice packaging industry, working hard to secure the future of the sector. The FPA promotes the responsible manufacture, sourcing, distribution, usage and disposal of food and foodservice packaging. The FPA also organises an annual FPA Environment Seminar, which it says is the industry’s keynote event for all issues related to the environment and sustainability. The next seminar is being planned for Autumn 2023.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/packaging-waste-prepare-for-extended-producer-responsibility
The way UK organisations responsible for packaging must carry out their recycling responsibilities has changed. If you’re affected by EPR for packaging, you will need to report your packaging data. This is a UK Government initiative.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-need-to-register-for-plastic-packaging-tax
The UK Plastics Packaging Tax is due (£210.82 per tonne from 1 April 2023) if packaging contains less than 30% recycled plastic. You can read our article about the Plastics Packaging Tax here: https://www.aegg.co.uk/blog/plastics-tax-explanation
FEVE is The European Container Glass Federation. The federation is committed to a long-term transformation of the industry to become carbon neutral. Their vision is to produce climate-neutral glass packaging that supports a sustainable future – for the planet, people and society. FEVE association has some 60 corporate members; their 160+ manufacturing plants are located across 23 European States. Its members produce over 80 billion glass containers per year.
RECOUP is a charity and leading authority providing expertise and guidance across the plastics recycling value chain. Their website includes guides on reusability by design (new guidance to assist with the design of reusable plastic packaging), best practice guide for UK plastics recycling communications, and recyclability by design packaging guidance (to help the industry understand the full technicalities of plastic packaging recyclability)
https://wrap.org.uk/what-we-do
WRAP is a climate action NGO working around the globe to tackle the causes of the climate crisis and give the planet a sustainable future.
https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a charity committed to creating a circular economy, which is designed to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. Business can also join their Foundation’s network.
The SME Climate Hub is a non-profit global initiative that empowers small to medium sized companies to take climate action and build resilient businesses for the future. The website also includes free tools and resources, including a free carbon calculator to measure your footprint.
https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/certification/
B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.
https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/store/en/PUB100372.pdf
ISO 14001 is an internationally agreed standard that sets out the requirements for an environmental management system. It helps organisations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste, gaining a competitive advantage and the trust of stakeholders.
The Carbon Trust is an expert partner for businesses, governments and organisations around the world – helping them decarbonise and accelerate to Net Zero.
They can help with target setting, footprinting and reporting, climate action and net zero planning, product carbon footprint labels, route to net zero standard, carbon neutral certification.
https://fsc.org/en https://www.pefc.org/
If your food or drink packaging includes a paper or cardboard label or outer wrap, then you can ensure that your stock has been sourced from sustainably managed forests. Check with your stock supplier if you can include the FSC or PEFC logos on your printed packaging.
Many of the trade magazines have newsletters you can receive, for free, including the latest sustainability news and case studies. It is worth checking which publication is most relevant to your business and signing up to receive their newsletter.
Sustainability Magazine: https://sustainabilitymag.com/magazines
Packaging Europe: https://packagingeurope.com/
Packaging News: https://www.packagingnews.co.uk/
Packaging Today: https://www.packagingtoday.co.uk/
Sustainable Packaging News: https://spnews.com/
Packaging Insights: https://www.packaginginsights.com/
The Responsible Packaging Expo 2023 takes place at ExCeL London on 10th & 11th October. The expo includes top speakers in its keynote theatre, a networking area and industry awards.
https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/sustainable-consumer.html
You can read the highlights of Deloitte’s 2020/1 survey into consumer attitudes and behaviours around sustainability. The research shows that consumers are increasingly making conscious decisions with sustainability and the environment in mind.
https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-12/UK_Global_Packaging_Materials_Footprint.pdf
A guide to the environmental impact of different packaging materials, compiled by the charity WWF.
Thank you for reading our 2023 UK Packaging Sustainability Guide for the food and drink sector, listing key sustainable resources. We hope you found it useful.
If you feel that we have missed out a key resource, please feel free to let us know.
Details correct as at 1.6.23