Article

WRAP launches the UK Packaging Pact

30 September 20255 Minute Read

Naomi Brandon-BravoSustainability Policy Adviser | BRCnaomi.brandon-bravo@brc.org.uk

Many members will have joined the webinar this week introducing WRAP’s UK Packaging Pact, the successor agreement to the UK Plastics Pact. The UK Packaging Pact will be a ten-year journey from 2026 – 2035 aimed to accelerate the shift to circular packaging system by championing material optimisation and traceability, reducing dependence on virgin resource, scaling reuse models and extending the lifecycle of materials.

UK Plastics Pact (2018 – 2025):

The UK Plastics Pact sets targets for signatories, including many retailers to reduce the impact of packaging, you can read the latest annual report here.

Target 1: Elimination of problematic and unnecessary – 99.8% of problematic items have been eliminated since 2018
Target 2: 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable – 70% of plastic packaging is now reusable or recyclable
Target 3: 70% of plastic packaging effectively recycled or composted – 59% of plastic packaging effectively recycled
Target 4: 30% average recycled content across all packaging packaging – 26% average recycled content

UK Packaging Pact (2026 – 2035):

Vision: Better packaging for people and planet.

Mission: To accelerate the shift to a circular packaging system by championing material optimisation and traceability, reducing dependence on virgin resource, scaling reuse models and extending the lifecycle of materials.

Approach: A 10-year journey to transform the UK’s relationship with packaging, guided by clear impact focused goals measured through defined KPIs.

Following feedback from members the goals below were presented. Feedback included shifting from targets to goals to make them easier to adapt over 10 years; offering flexibility for members to set their own KPIs in support of those goals; increased involvement in setting the level of ambition required and increasing level of action.

Goal 1: Optimise Packaging – focused on eliminating single-use; making more packaging recyclable; ‘right weighting’ packaging; reducing virgin non-renewable materials; and increasing recycled content (particularly for plastic and glass)
Goal 2: Scale Reuse and Refill – focused on driving standardisation on prefill; developing interoperable systems; creating a reuse/refill roadmap for packaging; increasing proportion of reusable packaging
Goal 3: Support Circular Infrastructure Investment – focused on building the evidence base to accelerate and unlock flow of investment; identifying system bottlenecks and co-leading initiatives to address them; and advocating for effective EPR funding decisions.
Goal 4: Harmonise Data – focused on simplifying reporting across UK and EU standards to reduce data burdens; supporting and enabling standardisation building on existing tools; and improving traceability.

Timeline: