Plastic Packaging in the UK: An Analysis of the Challenges and Solutions
Plastic Packaging in the UK: An Analysis of the Challenges and Solutions
Niki Rostambeihi
2023

Project Summary
The objective of this report was to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive account of the interplays of the markets surrounding plastic packaging in the UK which leads to negative production and consumption externality, as well as a summarised account of the solutions laid out in the practitioner and academic literature.
The bigger aim I had in mind was to understand the potential for a start-up venture that aims to create a profitable circular system for the packaging. This research project was supported by URSS with additional funding from IATL covering project-related costs of obtaining UK market insight data.
The first section of the report is therefore a preliminary conceptualisation of the problems that the consumption and production of plastic packaging bring about. The subsequent section summarises the main public and private solutions and highlights the importance of the cooperation between the two sectors (PPP). The cover credit belongs to Mobina Khalili.
I would like to express my gratitude for support that IATL has provided to allow the extension of the scope of the research. I am also incredibly grateful to my supervisor, Dr Montag for their insightful feedback and invaluable mentorship. Completing the project with a supervisor was a great approach because it helped me to feel more confident and have support when facing a question or a challenge.
For the dissemination aspect of the project, the report was showcased in the URSS exhibition. In addition, in line with the spirit of IATL’s focus on dissemination, I attempted to leverage my involvement in entrepreneurial societies on campus to discuss the project, learn and share. Warwick offers many societies, as well as programmes and events providing opportunities to get involved in a community of people with similar visions and interest. And so, I tried to use the formal and informal means available to deepen my conceptual and practical understanding of the research question and the bigger aim of the project.