FPA Advocates for Clear Communication on Single-Use Plastics Ban

The Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) is urging the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to launch an informative campaign addressing the impending ban on single-use plastics. This call comes with the recommendation of providing translated guidance and granting a minimum three-month grace period for businesses to exhaust their existing plastic stock.

Martin Kersh, the Executive Director of FPA, highlighted the absence of a comprehensive public information drive accompanying Defra’s announcement of the ban earlier this year. The provided guidance was made available only in English on May 23, leaving less than six months before the scheduled ban commencement. This critical time lag impacted businesses’ ability to deplete their current stocks.

A misinformation incident involving Devon County Council raised concern about misconceptions surrounding the ban, potentially leading to the unjustified ban of certain plastic items. FPA emphasized the necessity of clarifying that plastic plates, bowls, and trays remain valid packaging options.

Data derived from Census 2021 indicated that nearly half of London’s restaurant and mobile foodservice workforce comprises individuals from ethnic minorities. Given the language diversity in this sector, FPA stressed the need for guidance to be published in multiple languages to ensure clear communication and compliance.

Uninformed small independent takeaway businesses are at risk of facing fines if caught with prohibited items post the October 1 deadline. Kersh pointed out the potential financial burden and waste generated if these businesses are left to dispose of valuable stock. The FPA’s solution includes a comprehensive multilingual publicity campaign along with a three-month extension to facilitate a smoother transition.

Kersh concluded that while the prime minister aims to limit the impact of environmental measures on inflation, the eventual cost of complying with the ban could inevitably be passed on to consumers, impacting the takeaway industry’s economic landscape.