A study has found that London throws away 2.2 million tonnes of packaging each year, with plastics being the biggest contributor to packaging emissions. The research by ReLondon, Valpak and WRAP is calling for more to be done to improve recycling in London.

The 2.2 million figure equates almost to 250kg of waste being thrown away by every person in London each year. CEO of ReLondon, Wayne Hubbard, said that the numbers identify “the significant contribution that packaging, and in particular plastic packaging, makes to London’s carbon emissions – equivalent to half of London’s transport emissions”

Despite only representing 17% of packaging placed on the market in London by weight, plastic waste creates 46% of the capital’s packaging emissions. The report has called for three key levers to reduce these emissions:

1.  Increase the amount of recycled content in plastic packaging. 
2.  Reduce single-use packaging placed on the market, including through packaging refill and reuse. 
3. Increase collection and recycling rates for all packaging waste.

Mr Hubbard explained that a “startling” three quarters of emissions occur before packaging even reaches the consumer. The report believes that while there are some changes in regulation being implemented (Extended Producer Responsibility, Deposit Return Scheme, Simpler Recycling, etc) industry and policymakers need to work together to improve commercial waste flows and waste services so that more packaging is recycled. 

Mr Hubbard added: “The transition to a low carbon circular economy provides a real opportunity to reduce our emissions, make our economy more resilient and promote growth in more sustainable and circular business models – and Circular Economy Week this year has a strong focus on the growth potential for the UK in moving to a zero waste economy.”