YEAR-ENDER: PLASTICS INDUSTRY UK

Government´s economic policies, recycling woes, global uncertainty rule the roost in 2024 / Industry prospects in 2025 overshadowed by possible trade war

PACKAGING UK

Government urged to help reduce packaging use, facilitate recycling / LGA calls for review of moves to cut EPR fees

PACKAGING UK

Industry groups reportedly lobbied to delay EPR fees / Previous government postponed tax

COVERIS

Packaging maker ramps up production of anti-theft security labels / 45,000 cases per day of shoplifting reported in England, Wales

UK

Roll-out of deposit return schemes delayed again / Launch unlikely before 2027

UK

Government delays introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility scheme / Move to wait until 2025 welcomed by retailers; local councils disappointed

MONDI

Austrian packaging giant produces recyclable polypropylene film for Hütthaler

ALPHA PACKAGING

Takeover of Dutch PET plant / Addition of second facility in Europe to aid future growth

CARRIER BAGS

Increasing use in UK supermarkets / Overall tonnage of bags continues to drop / Mandatory charges affect use in Wales and Northern Ireland

PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS

Northern Ireland bag charge takes effect / Scotland to follow / Pressure on England

CARRIER BAGS

UK usage of single-use bags increased in 2011 / Second consecutive rise / Levy cuts consumption in Wales / Changing spending habits

PLASTIC FILM RECYCLING

PAFA trade association welcomes new recycling initiative / UK supermarkets to collect clean film in addition to carrier bags

PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS

UK Environment Agency study finds that single-use HDPE bags have lowest carbon footprint / 76% are actually reused / Usage halved in five years