British Shoppers Alarmed Over Microplastics in Plastic Packaging, Aquapak Research Finds.
A recent study by Aquapak, a developer of sustainable materials, reveals that 58% of British shoppers are most concerned about the harmful microplastics released when plastic packaging, such as plastic bags, breaks down. These tiny plastic particles, often found in oceans and waterways, pose serious threats to both environmental and human health.
The research delves into UK consumer attitudes on plastic packaging used by retailers and brands. While microplastics topped the list of concerns, other issues included plastics sent to landfill (12%), plastic littering (9%), incineration (8%), misleading recycling claims (7%), and the export of plastic waste (5%).
Although the use of single-use plastic bags in physical stores has declined, a growing threat looms in ecommerce. The UK now leads among major European countries in online fashion delivery bag usage, with a staggering 941 million plastic bags distributed in 2024 alone—an average of 2.6 million per day.
Worryingly, if current trends persist, this figure could rise by 40% by 2030. That means 1.3 billion ecommerce plastic bags could be delivered annually to UK homes, adding up to around 6.9 billion in just five years.
Aquapak urges the adoption of innovative, non-toxic, and recyclable alternatives to help stop microplastic pollution at the source.
