The recent announcement by DEFRA to cancel the proposed mandatory takeback scheme for single-use paper cups is a significant moment in the conversation around sustainable food packaging.
BioPak’s Global Head of Sustainability, Lea Maguero, commented on the recent developments.
“While some in the industry have been disappointed by the decision, we believe it provides an opportunity to reevaluate the core challenges of recycling food service packaging and advocate for more effective, circular solutions.”
The Recycling Reality: Why It Fails for Food Packaging
Traditional mechanical recycling systems have long struggled to handle food packaging, especially items like single-use cups. The main obstacles are:
- Linings: Most cups and food containers incorporate a thin lining, made from conventional plastic or bioplastic, to make them water-resistant. Unfortunately, the use of multiple materials in packaging makes it difficult for recyclers to separate the lining from the paper, ultimately rendering the product non-recyclable through kerbside systems.
- Food Contamination: Food residues and grease not only further diminish the recyclability of packaging but also pose a significant problem by contaminating the recycling stream. Even with advanced recycling facilities, contaminated packaging often ends up in landfills or incinerators.
“Efforts to establish separate recycling streams have proven costly or ineffective on a large scale. Approximately 2.5 billion single-use hot cups are used in the UK annually, and research suggests that less than 1% of these cups are recycled, having minimal impact on the waste crisis. A more prominent example of failed specialised recycling in both the UK and Australia is the soft plastics collection programs that collapsed due to waste volume, logistical challenges, and limited market demand for low-value recycled materials. It highlights the systemic issues associated with relying on dedicated schemes outside the well-established kerbside model,” said Maguero.
Compostable Packaging: A Viable Path to Circularity for the Foodservice Industry
In the face of these challenges, and where reusable packaging is not practical, BioPak believes that certified compostable packaging is a pragmatic path forward for the F&B sector to minimise its impact on the environment. However, it requires a collaborative effort from the industry and governments to help achieve true circularity.
Compostable packaging offers unique advantages:
- Integrated Organic Waste Recovery: By allowing food scraps and compostable packaging in one bin, organic material that would otherwise be lost in landfill or incineration can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost. This approach increases food waste recovery while reducing recycling stream contamination.
- Reduced Dependency on Complex Recycling: Compostable solutions eliminate the need for costly and ineffective separate recycling streams, streamlining waste management.
- The Positive Ripple Effect of Composting Our Waste: Organic waste in landfill produces methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than CO2. Composting not only reduces these emissions but also improves soil health and productivity. Organic compost enhances soil’s ability to retain water, reduces reliance on chemical fertilisers, and boosts agricultural yields, creating a sustainable and circular solution with far-reaching benefits.
“As outlined in our analysis of Australia’s packaging regulatory reforms, moving toward a circular economy requires packaging to be designed for local composting infrastructure. This is supported by evidence that certified compostable packaging can complement food waste recycling initiatives, as detailed in BioPak’s article on the role of compostable packaging. Italy has successfully implemented the compostable packaging EPR scheme (CONAI) with 2023 data showing that about 83% of all compostable plastic packaging collected jointly with food waste was effectively included in the local biological recycling process,” explained Maguero.
Achieving Circularity: A Collaborative Effort
To make this vision a reality, several critical steps must be taken:
- Robust Regulations: Governments must implement mandatory certification standards for compostable packaging, ban harmful additives like PFAS, and enforce clear labelling to help consumers identify which bin the product should be placed in.
- Regular Testing: Both packaging products and compost outputs should be randomly tested by the Regulator to ensure they meet environmental and performance criteria.
- Infrastructure Support: Composting facilities need investment to handle increased volumes of compostable materials. Equipment upgrades and operational support are essential. By regulating and providing financial support through grants, the government can offer the necessary certainty for long-term investor commitment.
- Consumer and Industry Education: A comprehensive education is required to inform consumers, businesses, and waste operators about the benefits and proper use of compostable packaging.
A Clear Path Forward
DEFRA’s decision to abandon the takeback scheme underscores the need for a more effective approach to managing single-use packaging waste. As James Cropper's disappointment suggests, the industry is looking for leadership and innovation.
Maguero concluded, “Rather than investing in costly, patchwork recycling schemes, the focus must shift to proven solutions that genuinely close the loop. By mandating certified compostable packaging and supporting the development of local composting infrastructure, we can build a system that not only addresses the limitations of current recycling models but also helps with the current waste crisis, creates business value, and helps create healthier soil.”
The transition will require collaboration across government, industry, business, and consumers, but the benefits are clear. BioPak believes compostable packaging represents a practical and scalable solution to achieving true circularity in food service packaging - a future where waste becomes a resource, not a burden.
References:
https://www.biopak.com/uk/resources/australias-packaging-regulatory-reform
https://www.biopak.com/uk/resources/role-of-compostable-packaging
https://www.packaging-gateway.com/news/single-use-cup-recycling-scheme
https://www.biocycle.net/italy-compostable-plastics/
https://nationwidewasteservices.co.uk/the-environmental-impact-of-disposable-coffee-cups-in-the-uk/