WRAP’s vision for packaging reform in the UK

On October 6, 2025, WRAP introduced the UK Packaging Pact, a strategic ten-year initiative aimed at reshaping packaging practices across the United Kingdom. This new pact builds upon the foundation laid by the UK Plastics Pact, which ran from 2018 to 2025 and focused on reducing problematic plastics and enhancing recyclability.

The UK Packaging Pact sets out to minimise the use of virgin materials, increase the use of recycled content, and promote packaging designs that support reuse and refill systems. It also emphasises the importance of traceability and streamlined data reporting to align with both UK and EU standards.

Key objectives include optimising packaging to reduce single-use and non-renewable materials, improving recyclability – particularly in plastic and glass – and implementing right-weighting strategies. The Pact also aims to scale up reuse and refill systems by creating standardised processes and interoperable infrastructure.

Members of the Pact are encouraged to invest in circular infrastructure, supported by evidence-based decision-making and effective packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) funding. The initiative also seeks to simplify data reporting and standardise tools to reduce administrative burdens.

The UK Packaging Pact is scheduled to launch in April 2026 and will run until 2035. Interested companies can learn more and express their interest through WRAP’s official website.

This development follows the closure of the European Plastics Pact in September 2023 and the withdrawal of several major brands from the U.S. Plastics Pact. These events have sparked discussions about the effectiveness and enforcement of voluntary environmental agreements.

Despite these challenges, WRAP remains committed to driving meaningful change in packaging sustainability through collaborative efforts and long-term planning.