Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum

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Next steps for tackling plastic waste in the UK - policy developments, implementation, and industry practice

July 2021


Starting from: £99 + VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF


When it happened…


Thursday, 8 July 2021


What delegates came to discuss…


This conference assessed the priorities and next steps for policy and stakeholders in reducing plastic waste, and supporting a green economic recovery in the UK.


The conference was a timely opportunity to discuss:


  • the measures that need be taken to enhance waste management, and how they can be implemented
  • the development of effective incentive and penalty frameworks
  • priorities for improving domestic recycling capabilities
  • how to drive behaviour change in businesses and households

It was timed alongside a range of policy developments, including:


  • the Environment Bill - with measures to tackle plastic waste in the UK, and increase the scope of enforcement powers for plastic waste reduction
  • the Waste Management Plan for England - designed to help deliver the priorities for waste and plastic waste outlined in the 25 Year Environment Plan and the Resource and Waste Strategy
  • the Plastic Packaging Tax - which will apply to plastic packaging that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic, and is set to be introduced from April 2022

The discussion brought latest thinking on:


  • the UK Plastics Pact - progress so far, and priorities for meeting the Courtauld Commitment 2025
  • waste management systems - next steps in development and implementation, and priorities for reducing plastic waste
  • the plastics packaging tax - looking at how best to prepare supply
  • long-term policy priorities - looking at what is needed to ensure effective policy into the future

Who attended…


Officials from BEIS; CAFRE; the Climate Change Committee; DAERA, NI; Defra; the Department for International Trade; the Department for the Economy, NI; the Department for Transport; the Food Standards Agency; HM Revenue & Customs; the Northern Ireland Environment Agency; The Scottish Government and the Welsh Government.


Representatives from AB World Foods; Agricultural Industries Confederation; albert; Baker McKenzie; Berry Gardens; BIC Innovation; British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association; British Meat Processors Association; Denroy Plastics; Ecosurety; Environment Agency; Fidra; Food Strategy Associates; Iona Capital; L'Oreal; Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Okehampton Town Council; PragmatIC Semiconductor; PWC United Kingdom; Recycling Technologies; Rethink Packaging; Staeger Clear Packaging; The Royal Society of Chemistry; University of Brighton; University of Sussex; UWE Bristol; Vestey Holdings; Walgreens Boots Alliance; Warrington Borough Council; Westons Cider and Which?.


Press: Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and Sayers Publishing.



This on-demand pack includes

  • A full video recording of the conference as it took place, with all presentations, Q&A sessions, and remarks from chairs
  • An automated transcript of the conference
  • Copies of the slides used to accompany speaker presentations (subject to permission
  • Access to on-the-day materialfs, including speaker biographies, attendee lists and the agenda