At Priory Direct we have launched a campaign to urge the government to take proactive steps to phase out the use of plastic polymer mailing bags (polymailers) by retailers…
But we need YOU to join us!
Why? Because legislation aimed at tackling this type of LDPE soft plastic packaging at a commercial level is long overdue.
An estimated 2 billion polymailer bags are used for ecommerce parcel deliveries yearly, yet only 10% of UK LDPE is recycled, despite much of this packaging having “100% recyclable” labelling.
It has been 10 years since the consumer charge on plastic bags was introduced and by July 2024 the 7.6 billion single-use carrier bags given out per annum had fallen by 98%.
We are determined to see the same results at a corporate level.
To drive our campaign, we have penned an open letter to Minister Mary Creagh, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Minister for Nature), which we encourage you to co-sign and join the movement. You can find more details below.
To show your support for the campaign, simply sign the online petition here.
We are confident that, with your help, we can drive tangible change in the sector and better protect our planet. Thank you!
The problem
Large retailers continue to churn out millions of despatches in soft plastic mailing bags, which are ripped open upon receipt and are not reusable.
Current schemes such as the plastic packaging tax are not an effective deterrent nor generator of meaningful revenue. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) also fails to reach most users — larger retailers can choose to absorb the cost rather than change their packaging choices, and the SMEs that make up 99% of the UK retail sector are unlikely to reach EPR’s minimum tonnage and turnover thresholds.
There is no excuse not to use sustainable packaging alternatives when they are now just as cost effective as plastic polymer packaging.
It will only get worse
An estimated 2 billion polymailer bags are used for ecommerce parcel deliveries every year, which is predicted to rise to 2.7 billion bags by 2030 — equivalent to 45,000 tonnes of LDPE per year, 120,000 barrels of crude oil material input or — in carbon terms — the annual emissions of around 8,000 petrol cars. Our recycling infrastructure cannot handle this level of waste.
Municipal recycling rates in England have flatlined for the past 11 years and less than 15% of local authorities currently collect soft plastics at kerbside. Without investment into our recycling facilities, the inevitable increase in plastic packaging waste will go straight to landfill.
Add Your Voice — Help Us End Plastic Polymailers
We need public pressure to push the government to phase out wasteful plastic mailing bags. Your signature can help drive the legislation we urgently need.
Sign the Petition NowEvery single signature strengthens the call for change.
