FPA Statement on Defra Single Use Plastic Ban

NEWS RELEASE

00.02 14 January

FPA Statement on proposed government ban of plastic plates, cutlery and expanded and extruded polystyrene boxes and cups

Comments attributable to Executive Director Martin Kersh

 The FPA has been cooperating with Defra since the ban was first raised in 2021 and its members are committed to working positively to reduce the environmental impact of packaging items used for food to go.  However, although media and many of the public may hail the ban as a triumph, it is important to understand these measures come at an environmental and economic cost.

We raise the following points:

•            Cost - replacing these plastic items will mean the public will be paying more for their takeaways and food to go. Alternatives are more expensive, for example banning EPS boxes will means an additional 50p on the cost of fish and chips for a family of four.

•            Increased carbon - most of the alternatives currently available will mean carbon increases rather than reductions, because alternative materials require more carbon. EPS boxes are made up of 95% air, so every alternative inevitably has a higher carbon footprint both in production and transportation, which is why in life cycle assessments EPS always comes top. Innovations in EPS recycling are gaining momentum around the world.

•            Litter - the bans will not make any difference to litter, as those who litter do so irrespective of material. Only one of the items to be banned features in the top 15 littered items, while no action is taken on the top two littered items which are cigarette ends and chewing gum.

•            Functionality - some functionality is also lost. EPS boxes work better (for example in keeping food hotter or cooler for longer) than alternatives for a variety of foods including fish and chips and traders report the public does not care for wooden cutlery.

•            Recyclability - most of the alternatives are no more recyclable than the items they are replacing.

•            Use as packaging – we are pleased that plates, bowls and trays that are used as packaging (shelf-ready) can be used in eat-in and takeaway settings and not just supermarkets as reported. We will now call upon government to allow the use of the banned items in closed environments where the items are not removed from premises by customers. This would enable, for example, compostable cutlery, to be used in festivals where arrangements are made to dispose of compostable packaging with food or for plastics items to be recycled. In closed environments they can be collected and recycled and will achieve more circularity than alternatives.

 

•            Definitions - definitions of polystyrene were confused in the consultation document and haven’t changed in the consultation response. As a consequence, the ban could include items not intended for inclusion unless these definitions are reconsidered.

 

•            Alternative stocks - even though the ban takes place towards the end of the year, there is a risk there will be insufficient stocks of alternatives while current stocks will be wasted. With buying decisions made a long time in advance, we ask for a further six months to ensure stocks of banned items aren’t wasted - as Defra did with plastic straws. Investment to fill-up supply pipelines with new stocks of alternatives is needed and this takes time. The situation has not been helped by indecision from government since the bans were first raised. Common sense is needed.

•            Awareness - we ask Defra to ensure all retailers are made aware and do not get fined because they aren’t aware. It is especially important to provide information in a number of languages.

 

The FPA will continue to work with Defra to ensure the impacts to the public, business and the environment is minimised as a consequence of these bans.

 

Ends   

Issued on behalf of the Foodservice Packaging Association by Leap PR. Editorial contact is Felicity Read on 07887 608353 or email felicity@leapfrogpr.com.