May 12, 2025 15:17

The British Plastics Federation (BPF), the UK’s leading trade body for the plastics supply chain, is urging companies to report suspected fraud involving false declarations of recycled content in plastic products to the Environment Agency.

Such false claims may not only be driven by marketing motives but also by attempts to evade the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), which applies to plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled material and was recently raised to £223.69 per tonne (see article).

BPF, in line with EU-based recyclers’ associations, has long advocated for the introduction of verification and/or certification scheme to combat fraudulent practices.

According to the federation, such systems should be implemented at national and ideally international levels, to ensure a level playing field and protect law-abiding companies from unfair competition. This would also help maximise the use of genuine recycled plastics, delivering environmental benefits.

Although the BPF hopes that companies will report fraudulent activity, it also feels more robust action should be taken against companies that commit fraud. Investment in UK recycling infrastructure is also required, it argues, as increasing domestic recycling will make material easier to trace and reduce the opportunity for criminal activity.

Helen Jordan, BPF’s Sustainability Manager, commented: “Let’s remember that almost all companies have integrity and always try to act according to the law. However, a few bad actors can potentially tarnish the reputation of the entire industry and blight the image of recycled plastics in the eyes of the public. Companies that commit fraud also make it more difficult for legitimate companies to thrive.”
She added: “We’d like the government to encourage investment in improving the UK’s plastic recycling infrastructure while also taking steps to minimise opportunities for fraud. And we call on companies to report any instances of fraud they encounter to the Environment Agency so that appropriate measures can be taken against them. The more fraud is reported, the more it will be on the minds of those in government.”

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