Valpak PackFlow 2023 reports provide valuable insight into UK packaging material trends

Valpak by Reconomy has published its latest update on the quantity of packaging placed on the UK market in 2022.

James Skidmore, Director of Consulting, Valpak, explained that the PackFlow 2023 reports, commissioned by WRAP, show that, for most materials, the amount of packaging placed on the market has decreased compared to 2019. He added, “As we approach the full implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR), accurate data and baselines are more important than ever. The reports, which are used by UK governments to inform packaging policy, also offer valuable insights into packaging market trends. For example, we can see that since 2011, UK domestic recycling of plastic packaging has increased steadily. In 2021, it exceeded the amount of plastic waste exported for the first time. The reports also show us that, since 2019, the amount of paper packaging placed on the market has increased relative to plastic packaging.”

Holding more than 50 million SKUs, Valpak’s packaging and product database is one of the largest packaging data resources in the UK. The suite of six material-specific reports make use of this data to assess the state of the market in 2022. In addition to calculating the amount of packaging placed on the market and recycled, it details compliance projections to 2028 which, in preparation for pEPR, are also used by UK governments to inform decisions on business targets.

Adam Herriott, Senior Specialist, WRAP, said, “WRAP is proud to have worked with Valpak on the PackFlow 2023 reports. These reports are crucial for government policy-making, providing the accurate data needed to shape future packaging regulations. Moreover, they inform much of WRAP’s work, including initiatives like the UK Plastics Pact, helping us to drive significant progress in reducing plastic waste and increasing recycling rates. The insights from these reports are essential for understanding market trends and making data-driven decisions that support a sustainable future.”

Material-specific insights include:

Paper and card: compared to previous Valpak PackFlow reports in 2019 and 2017, paper and card POM has reduced. UK domestic recycling declined between 2004 and 2010, with modest increases in the targets being met by export. The overall upward trend in export appears to have stabilised since 2017 (despite increases in the targets), with export tonnages fluctuating since this time in a range between 500–700k tonnes per quarter, and total paper and card recycling in a range of 850–1,000k tonnes per quarter. Paper and card packaging recycling targets have flat-lined.

Additional information is provided in the full report on glass, plastic, aluminium, steel and wood.

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