Around 80 million tonnes of plastic packaging is produced each year, and this is expected to triple by 2050.
Most of it has a very short use, with 95% lost to the economy. Between 8 and 12 million tonnes ends up in the oceans and can remain there for centuries, harming wildlife and potentially entering the human food chain.
Governments have recognised the need to address this national and global challenge.
The UK Government's Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge seeks to dramatically reduce plastic waste by 2025. It has up to £60 million to invest in projects that aim to make the UK a leader in smart and sustainable plastic packaging.
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, has up to £37 million from the fund to invest in demonstrators and early-stage projects investigating ways to reduce, reuse or recycle plastic packaging.
