UK Plastic Packaging Statistics

Plastic packaging facts. Did you know the UK is the 5th biggest plastics polluter in the word? Here are some important facts about plastics packaging.

UK Plastic Packaging Statistics

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By Peak Soap - Updated 12.07.2023

At Peak Soap we pack all our handmade soap in recycled kraft paper. This is great for the soap because it lets the handmade soap bars breathe whilst at the same time allowing the aroma to exude. Paper packaging is also far less harmful to our environment as it is biodegradable and thus does not accumulate in marine and land habitats. There are lots of little tricks and hacks you too can carry out that will reduce your plastic footprint and thus your use of petrochemicals.

Above is an example of one of our packaged handmade soap bars. It is packaged by hand in kraft paper. The label is also printed on recycled kraft stock that is made in the UK by responsible manufacturers, using sustainable sources. Why not try to pack YOUR products in paper too? There will always be a few compromises, but a lot can be done. We have strived to also use 100% paper postage packing too. This is harder, particularly with items that are quite bulky but it can be done.

UK Plastic Packaging Statistics

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1. Annual Global Plastics Production

370 million tons.

2. Plastics Production Since Turn Of Century

80%

3. UK Plastics Use (2022)

UK households throw away over 100 billion pieces of plastic per year.

4. Most Commonly Thrown Away UK Plastic Items

Food packaging, microwave trays, snacking wrapper and fruit and veg packaging.

5. Number of Plasic Items Thrown by Average UK Household

66 plastic items per week.

6. Plastic Waste in 2021 in the UK

The UK generated 21 million tons of plastic waste in 2021.

7. The UK is One of the Worst Perpetrators

The UK is the 5th largest producer of plastic waste in the world!

8. 44kg for Every Person in the UK

In the UK in 2019 average plastics waste worked out as 44kg per person for the year.

9. Amount of Plastic Recycled in the UK

In 2021 only 44% of plastic was recycled in the UK.

10. Plastics Recovery in the UK

In the UK only 12% of plastic is PROPERLY recyled. 25% goes into landfill and 50% is incinerated for energy recapture (with poluting effects) and 13% is shipped abroad where is is unclear what happens to it.

11. Turkey is Receiving the UKs Plastics Waste

Turkey now receives MOST of the UKs plastics waste. What happens to it?