What does the single-use plastics ban mean for indie retail?

The statistics from scientists are stark. According to estimates, there are now more than 171 trillion pieces of plastic in the world’s oceans – a figure that could triple by 2040 if no action is taken.

Now is the time, they say, to sit up, pay attention, and enact real change.

Part of the UK’s plan, echoing that of a wider EU objective, is to continue to roll out the ban of certain single-use plastics.

Following the successful single-use plastic bag charge introduced in 2015 (which has shown a decrease of more than 98% in main retailers), ministers hope the new single-use plastics ban, coming into force this month, will have an equally positive impact on the environment.

What’s included in the single-use plastics ban?

1. As of October 1st businesses can no longer sell single-use plastic plates, bowls, trays, containers, cutlery or balloon sticks to the public. The ban affects sales both online and in stores.

2. Existing and new stock are affected.

3. The term single-use extends to biodegradable, compostable and recycled plastic, and items that are partly made from or lined with plastic.

4. There are exemptions for bowls, trays and plates supplied to other business, or pre-filled or pre-packed at point of sale (ie salad bowls/sandwiches) and trays used to deliver food.

5. There are no exemptions for plastic cutlery.

6. Polystyrene is banned, and retailers must not use it to supply ready-to-eat food or drink. Exemptions here apply only to polystyrene containers that require adding hot water, finishing in a microwave or toasting.

7. Local inspectors can carry out spot checks, with fines for businesses not adhering to the new rules.

What do retail leaders have to say?

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira (the British Independent Retailers Association), admits the change will be costly to businesses, but said it’s critical retailers are ready. “Breaches of these new regulations will result in fines for the business owners. 

“The regulations are a measure to improve recycling and ultimately the negative impact on the environment. Given the recent heatwaves around Europe, we can see all too well some of the changes taking place. We should all want to do what we can, but it has to be reasonable for the business. Retailers will need to start now (if they’ve not done so already) to source replacement stock. I have seen increasing use of paper bags and re-usable nets in food shops. For delis the same rules apply, but food served at the counter can still be served in single-use containers – however now might be the right time to change everything and establish stronger environmental credentials.

“The message is clear, get to know the rules, start planning, and tell the customer you have made the changes. It might even be possible to turn this into an opportunity.”

Making plastic free work

Lucy Storey, of Lucy’s Unwrapped & Refill, opened her business in 2020, with a mission to create a destination where customers could buy food, drink and household items that don’t rely on plastic packaging. Lucy says she has seen a huge interest from local people in reducing their reliance on single-use plastics, but also reports confusion in the industry (as well as from customers) around the new legislation.

She feels the rules haven’t gone far enough, in allowing food at counters to be sold in plastic, and thinks this ‘loophole’ will be detrimental to the overall ethos of the scheme.

Lucy recommends that retailers offering food in plastic at the point of sale, try to look for alternatives regardless of what the regulations say. “You can easily use paper bags, or cardboard or wooden containers,” she explained. “I do wonder if it will be different now, going into one of the bigger shops to pick up a sandwich. Will they still have plastic windows in? That has to stop!”

Her advice to fellow businesses? “Try to offer some of your products as refills. Look at your suppliers, and buy in bulk as much as you can. And also try to keep food miles low. I have flour and oil from just up the road, which means I can buy in bulk and return the containers for them to wash and refill. Our oceans are full of rubbish. We really do have to reduce our plastic!”

Catherine Conway from Be Unpackaged agrees, but adds we should be going further. “It’s high time we removed these unnecessary items from circulation. However, our concern is maintaining single-use culture by replacing plastic with alternative materials. Non-plastic single-use items are just as harmful in terms of resource use. 

“Ultimately they’re all being used once and then incinerated, landfilled or escaping into the environment as litter and pollution. We need leadership from government and businesses in the transition from single use to reusable packaging if we are to truly tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, air pollution and biodiversity loss that we’re facing.”

New opportunities?

While there has been discomfort reported from businesses, who will inevitably feel the pinch of switching from plastic in certain parts of their operations, others believe there are new opportunities to be grasped.

Kantar said the plastics ban, “Offers brands a chance to embrace sustainability and redefine their business models. By collaborating with stakeholders across the product value chain, optimising material usage in supply chains, and prioritising circularity, brands can lead the way towards a greener, more sustainable future while better engaging with their target audience on the topic of sustainability.”

Across Europe there is a 77% collection target for plastic bottles by 2025, increasing to 90% by 2029. Kantar said that identifying suitable products for refills could help meet these targets, adding that, according to its 2022 Sustainable Sector Index data, 45% of consumers would be willing to buy products that are reusable/refillable.

“Brands must make usage of refillable products easy; partnerships with retailers to improve the necessary infrastructures will help people close this value-action gap. Brand owners will need to work out how to encourage people to make the switch for some of their everyday products. It will need to be easy, meaningful and rewarding.”

Sian Sutherland, of A Plastic Planet, said “tiny tokenistic bans” might seem pointless, but that banning things we know are wrong for the planet can create a “vacuum for innovation to flourish”.

“There is a reason why material innovation has lagged so far behind technology. We simply haven’t bothered to invent better materials than plastic for decades. But now we know the escalating downside of plastic, we need to increase the rate of bans.”

Richard Burcher, commercial director of Naturepac, said there are certainly inroads being made in packaging innovation in light of the bans, adding that his company has seen an increase in interest in sustainable options.

“The plastic ban marks a significant milestone in the fight against plastic pollution. This transformative measure presents businesses with a unique opportunity to embrace more eco-friendly solutions, elevating their environmental stewardship.

“With an increasing number of customers already transitioning to sustainable options, the ban will undoubtedly stimulate the market’s accessibility and cost-effectiveness of these alternatives, making it easier for businesses to adopt greener practices.

“Embracing this change will not only contribute to a healthier planet but also pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible future for all.”