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Plastic Packaging Myths
Plastic Packaging Myths
Plastic packaging is surrounded by misconceptions about recycling, sustainability and waste. We separate common plastic packaging myths from the facts.
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Plastic packaging has become one of the most debated areas of packaging and sustainability. There are a lot of common myths around plastic waste, carbon footprint reduction Businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce plastic use, improve recyclability and understand their responsibilities around packaging waste, while customers are becoming more interested in what happens to packaging after it has been used.
The difficulty is that some of the most commonly repeated statements about plastic packaging are either too simplistic or no longer reflect the current position in the UK. A plastic package is not automatically unrecyclable, just as a paper alternative is not automatically the more sustainable choice.
The material, format, design, collection system and what happens to the packaging after use all matter. Here are some of the most common plastic packaging myths, and what the evidence actually tells us.
Is all plastic packaging is unrecyclable?
Fact: A significant amount of plastic packaging can be recycled, although recyclability depends on the material and format.
UK government statistics show that 53.7% of plastic packaging waste was recycled in 2024 under the newer methodology used for reported packaging data.
That does not mean every piece of plastic packaging can go into a recycling bin. Different plastics have different properties, and packaging may also contain combinations of materials that make recycling more difficult.
The important question is therefore not simply whether something is made from plastic. It is whether that particular packaging format is recyclable within the relevant collection and recycling system.
If plastic has a recycling symbol, can it go in any recycling bin?
Fact: A recycling symbol does not guarantee that your local authority or waste contractor accepts that item.
This is one of the reasons plastic recycling can be confusing. Collection systems differ, and the rules for household recycling are changing across the UK.
In England, the government’s 2026 kerbside guidance identifies items such as plastic trays, food pots and tubs, drink bottles and toiletries bottles among packaging commonly collected by local authorities. Other formats have more limited collection or may not be collected through household recycling at all.
Businesses also need to consider their own waste arrangements rather than assuming household recycling rules apply to commercial waste.
For packaging businesses, this makes the distinction between technically recyclable and actually collected and recycled particularly important.
Is plastic packaging worse for the environment than paper packaging?
Fact: The material alone does not tell you which packaging solution has the lowest environmental impact.
This is one of the reasons plastic recycling can be confusing. Collection systems differ, and the rules for household recycling are changing across the UK.
In England, the government’s 2026 kerbside guidance identifies items such as plastic trays, food pots and tubs, drink bottles and toiletries bottles among packaging commonly collected by local authorities. Other formats have more limited collection or may not be collected through household recycling at all.
Businesses also need to consider their own waste arrangements rather than assuming household recycling rules apply to commercial waste.
For packaging businesses, this makes the distinction between technically recyclable and actually collected and recycled particularly important.
Can biodegradable plastic can go in the recycling bin?
Fact: Biodegradable and compostable plastics should not simply be treated as conventional recyclable plastic.
This is an important distinction that is often lost in conversations about eco packaging.
Biodegradable plastics are either made from bio-based polymers, or contain additives that assist with the break down of the material. These additives can ruin a batch of recycled plastic.
That’s why current government guidance for England states that local authorities do not need to collect plastic packaging or non-packaging items labelled as compostable or biodegradable through the plastic recycling stream.
A material being described as biodegradable therefore does not mean it belongs in the same recycling system as conventional plastic packaging.
If you are looking for biodegradable materials for packaging, swapping to a cardboard box is a great alternative, as cardboard is both biodegradable and home compostible.
Is the best way to become more sustainable is simply to use less plastic?
Fact: Reducing unnecessary material is important, but packaging still needs to perform its job.
Packaging exists to protect products during storage, handling and transport. Removing too much material can increase the likelihood of damage, which may create additional waste and require another product to be manufactured, packaged and transported.
A better approach is to ask whether the packaging is doing its job efficiently, and your usage is optimised.
That could mean using a thinner film where appropriate, reducing unnecessary layers, optimising your machines, right-sizing a cardboard box, changing the amount of void fill or choosing a packaging format that provides the required protection with less material.
This is where a packaging review can be particularly useful. The aim is not simply to remove plastic. It is to find the most appropriate packaging solution for the product and the operation.
If you are interested in Packaging, Springpack are experts in the field. Our team of Packaging Experts have all of the answers to your packaging questions. Why not get in touch with us today?