55 founding organisations including Asda and Lidl join UK Packaging Pact ahead of 2026 launch
Ahead of the official launch of the UK Packaging Pact in April 2026, WRAP has announced the names of the 55 founding organisations who’ve signed up to the ten-year initiative to bring changes across all packaging materials.
Supported by PackUK, UK government, and led by global environmental action NGO WRAP, the UK Packaging Pact aims to transform how we design, use, and recover packaging to reduce waste and emissions, better protect nature and put citizens needs at the heart of decision making processes.
The successor to the UK Plastics Pact, the new voluntary agreement widens the focus to all materials commonly used in packaging, and the range of sectors involved in the new programme. Now organisations producing products from food and drink, beauty care, pet products and household goods can join.
Catherine David, CEO at WRAP, says: “Collaboration works and it’s delivering real change. Unrecyclable black plastic is gone, recycling is rising, and unnecessary packaging is disappearing. But the scale of the challenge demands more.”
“Plastic pollution remains a global crisis, and with the failure to secure a global treaty, the need for bold, systemic action has never been greater. We must accelerate the step change to circular living, driving reuse, tackling plastic film, and enabling the impact of upcoming recycling reforms. This is collective action at its most ambitious and essential, and WRAP is proud to lead the charge toward a truly circular future.”
The aforementioned founding members include Asda, Arla, Haleon, Ocado Retail, Tesco, Lidl and Yeo Valley, sustainability specialists GoUnpackaged and PackUK, and waste management companies Biffa, SUEZ Recycling Recovery UK and Veolia.
Mary Creagh, Circular Economy Minister, says: “Government and businesses must ensure packaging is used time and time again. Our new extended producer responsibility scheme will turbocharge this shift to more sustainable packaging. I pay tribute to the 55 world leading companies who have signed up to the UK Packaging Pact and pledged to go further and faster in delivering greener packaging.”
Jeremy Blake, PackUK Chief Executive Officer, says: “We are pleased to support the UK Packaging Pact. This ambitious initiative represents the collaborative approach we need to drive real, lasting change. No single organisation can solve the packaging challenge alone - but by pooling expertise and insights across industry and government, we can break down the barriers and accelerate the shift to truly circular packaging at scale.”
“We are committed to this journey to transform the UK's relationship with packaging. Together with WRAP and our fellow signatories, we can deliver better packaging for people and planet."
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Green retail was a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
We received a record number of entries and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
For a full rundown of all of the shortlisted entries, click here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC in Central London on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
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