Research from Lancaster University has uncovered a widespread issue among UK households: “wishcycling,” where individuals place packaging in recycling bins without certainty of its recyclability, according to a report at phys.org. The study, conducted by the Plastic Packaging in People's Lives (PPiPL) project, found that this behavior stems from confusing product labels and varying recycling facilities across the country.
The research, which spanned 3.5 years and involved collaboration with supermarkets, businesses, charities, and waste management companies, aimed to understand the UK's attitudes towards plastic food packaging. The findings, based on interviews with 552 people and 91 organizations, reveal that while many households are environmentally conscious, the priority to reduce food waste often overshadows concerns about packaging.
Professor Maria Piacentini, Co-Principal Investigator of the PPiPL project, noted that some households avoid washing and recycling packaging due to contamination fears, particularly with raw meat or fish packets. This reluctance can lead to greater contamination in the recycling process, posing challenges for policymakers aiming to meet the UK's Plastics Pact goals.
