Sustainability Committee
The BPF's Sutainability Committee is a central expert committee made up of specialists accross the Federeation aiming to work proactively with industry, stakeholders and legislators to contribute to the Circular Economy and global sustainability agenda. The Sustainability Committee meets four times a year with meetings open to all BPF members. The current Chairman of the Committee is Jamie Riley (Sustainability Manager at Berry BPl). The Committee's Vision and Remit are outlined below.
Vision: Through practical commitments and actions, improve the reputation of plastics and the plastic industry in the UK so that the industry is regarded as a highly responsible sector. Through innovation and clear communication, work to achieve public, customer and regulatory recognition that plastic material and products offer versatile, sustainable, low carbon solutions of choice for manufacturing in the 21st Century.
Remit: To work proactively with industry, stakeholders and legislators to contribute to the sustainability agenda and Circular Economy. Achieve positive change for the plastics industry in the UK through a focus on environmental, social and economic drivers. This includes establishing policy with supporting targets on key issues affecting the industry in these areas.
Sustainability of Plastics
Plastic has many positive contributions to the environment and helps to create more sustainable products. It has helped to light weight cars reducing their fuel usage, improve fuel efficiency, reduce water use and prevent food waste. Plastic is also recyclable. In 2023, 1,186,454 tonnes of plastic packaging waste (about 54%) was sent for recycling in the UK. The overall recycling rate for post-consumer plastics is 28% which is an increase of 180% since 2006.
The properties of plastic are so varied that that recycled plastic can be used for a whole range of products including those not currently made of plastics. This gives a range of potential end markets for plastics which are essential in achieving a circular economy. Further work is needed to ensure that recycled content is specified in products and that legislative and technical barriers do not prevent its use.
The British Plastics Federation has produced a series of infographics called ‘Plastics Saves’ which illustrate all the benefits that plastics have in terms of sustainability but also their wider impacts.
The Sustainability Committee meets to discuss BPF projects, relevant policies and sustainability-related topics of importance to members on a quarterly basis, including those outlined below.
Sustainable Developement Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were agreed under the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. They comprise 17 goals to be achieved globally by 2030. These aim to describe the most important matters facing global development. Each goal has separate targets that enable countries and businesses around the world to implement changes across different economic sectors.
The plastics industry has already contributed significantly to achieving sustainable development at a global level and its contribution is instrumental in achieving the SDGs. For more information on how pastic has made the most valuable contribution towards realising the SDGs, read our page here.
Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS) is an international initiative from the plastics industry to reduce plastic pellet loss, flake or powder into the environment. In the UK, it is led by the BPF.
The initiative’s aim is to ensure that the plastic pellets, flakes and powders that pass through manufacturing facilities in the UK are handled with the care they deserve and do not end up in our rivers or seas. By signing up to OCS, companies make a commitment to adhere to best practice and implement systems to prevent plastic pellet loss, and that they will play their part in protecting the environment. Read more and sign up here.
Net Zero and Decarbonising the Industry
How to achieve Net Zero for the UK as a country and for plastics processing as an industry is set to become a dominant topic over the next 30 years. The BPF has various resources to help members start their net zero journey as well as a decarbonisation directory and training courses available on the BPF's Net Zero Hub.
Additionally, in 2024 the Committee launched a new BPF Carbon Taskforce to try and focus on Net Zero and industry goals more specifically.
Lastly, a Climate change agreement (CCA) has been set up in the UK to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. It orms part of a package of UK government measures to respond to the challenges of climate change while helping the industry remain internationally competitive. Operators who commit to the scheme are entitled to a discount on the climate change levy (CCL) charge seen on their energy invoices. More information can be found here.
The Circular Economy
The BPF's Sustinability Committee continues to stay abreast of current legislation inlcuding the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), Single Use Plastic Bans, Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Simpler Recycling (Consistent Collection), European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR) and the Single Use Plastics Directive (SUP). A BPF packaging legislation tracker is availabe for members here.
The Sustainability Committee wants to ensure that plastic and plastics producs are as sustainabile as possible and continue to contribute to the circular economy. From designing recyclable packaging, incorporating recycled content in new products, to working with the plastics supply chain to produce innovative, sustainable products, our Eco-Design Hub is a great place to start.
The UNEP Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution
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In March 2022, at the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), a historic resolution was adopted to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
Plastic pollution is a global issue and the impacts of it are felt across borders. Associated pollution and environmental damage from plastic pollution requires broad coalition from nations at all levels of government. The UK has the potential to be a leading voice when it comes to much-needed international leadership and best practice innovation required to tackle the global nature of plastic-related issues. The BPF and Sustainability Committee stay close to Treaty developments.
RECOUP & BPF LCA Library
The LCA Library is a database of publicly available LCAs on plastics, split into two parts:
- Materials & Products
- Recycling Processes & End-of-life
The LCA Library was developed through collaboration between RECOUP and the BPF to help with finding publicly available LCAs of plastic materials, products and processes. The aim was to be able to quickly identify those that met the requirements of a particular research topic or to help with doing an initial comparison of different materials at an early scoping phase of a project.
The LCA Library is freely available to all members of RECOUP and the BPF and can be found here.
Annual Susainability Seminar
The BPF's annual Sustainability Seminar is an in-person event held in London each year. It is an exclusive opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders and explore innovative approaches to sustainability challenges. Keep a look out on the BPF's Event page for more details.
Relevant Position Statements
BPF Position Statements on topics such as the UN Global Treaty, Chemical Recyling, Biodegradable and Oxo-degradable Plastics, Drinking from Plastic Bottles and more can be found here.
Other useful links
- Where to Recycle Plastic
- Recycling Roadmap
- Plastic Recycling Facts
- Chemical Recycling Informaiton Hub
- Marine Litter the Facts
- Plastic Packaging: FAQs
- Upcoming BPF Events
- Polymer Zone - Education & Skills
- Waste Free Oceans - an intiative that the BPF supports
Contact Information:
Sustainaility Issues Executive: Martha Beirne
Email: [email protected]
Manager: Helen Jordan
Email: [email protected]
