The Big Plastic Count 2026 results are in!

In March, thousands of us — from community groups, schools, workplaces and households — across the country took part in counting our plastic waste across a one-week people-powered investigation to help understand the true scale of the UK’s plastic problem.

The results are in: plastic waste is still a huge problem, and the answer lies in these key areas.

Supermarkets play a big role

Results estimated 13 billion pieces of fruit and veg packaging are thrown away every year. 63% is soft plastic that is impossible to recycle.

Some plastic for products like prepared fruit and veg are essential for people to live safely and independently, but uncut fruit and veg don’t need it and supermarkets often do not offer enough plastic-free options.

 

Waste incinerators aren’t a solution

The plastics crisis is treated as a waste issue – the government focuses on burning, recycling, or exporting it.

Burning plastic releases toxic gases into the air, affecting the health of people and the planet. Incinerators are usually built in areas hardest hit by inequality. New constructions must be banned.

Our plastic problem is ours to solve

16% of our plastic waste is shipped abroad, often to places with poorer recycling infrastructures.

Exporting plastic waste stops our government from taking responsibility and avoids the need to address the issue at its source: to produce less plastic where it isn’t needed.

It’s not an individual problem

The report reminds us: This is not a problem caused by individuals, but by systemic failure.

But we can help to put pressure on governments to make these changes. Click through the The Big Plastic Count website for resources and letters to send to the ministers responsible.

 

We are pleased to have supported this campaign to make sure everyones expereinces are included in the solutions, through our collaboration with Everyday Plastics, Disability Rights UK and Keele University.

Learn more here.