Single-use plastic packaging is increasingly prohibited at UK markets, food festivals, and corporate events. Traders who arrive with polystyrene containers or plastic cutlery risk being turned away — or not being rebooked.

Industry Data: The UK Government’s ban on single-use plastics (expanded in October 2023) prohibited the supply of single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, and expanded polystyrene food containers. Event organisers have gone further still — many now require compostable or recyclable packaging as a condition of trader agreements.

Eco-friendly alternatives are widely available and competitively priced in bulk. Kraft paper boxes, cardboard trays, wooden cutlery, paper bags, and compostable cups are all available from Booker, Makro, Alliance Online, and Nisbets. When bought in bulk, the cost difference from plastic is minimal.

Eco packaging is not just a compliance requirement — it is a marketing advantage. Customers increasingly notice and appreciate sustainable choices. Display it on your menu board: ‘All our packaging is compostable.’ It matters.

References & Further Reading

  • Gov.uk: UK Plastic Packaging Ban 2023 — gov.uk
  • Alliance Online: Eco Catering Packaging — alliance-online.co.uk
  • Booker Wholesale: Packaging for Caterers — booker.co.uk
  • WRAP: Reducing Plastic Waste in Foodservice — wrap.org.uk