Over 80% of consumers think conventional plastics should be banned when a compostable option is available, according to a recent YouGov survey.

Of 1,734 adults in the UK, 70% also had a more positive opinion of a product when contained in packaging which can break down naturally.

Commissioned by compostable packaging manufacturer Tipa, the survey found that 89% support local authorities having to collect all packaging from UK households including food waste and recycling.

However, according to Wrap, many local authorities are not currently equipped to process compostable packaging.

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“It is encouraging to see such public support for compostables, but without government investment and the appropriate policy frameworks, the required collection infrastructure is unlikely to be in place to respond to overwhelming consumer appetite to mainstream compostable packaging,” Tipa co-founder and CEO Daphna Nissenbaum told The Grocer.

“The findings of this poll confirm that Defra would command broad public support if it introduced a new effective policy mandating the collection of compostable packaging alongside food waste across England to ensure that materials are composted at end of life.”

This comes as organic food delivery company Abel & Cole announced that it would be making the move to recyclable paper bags in October, following concerns that the plastic only breaks down under certain conditions.

The packaging, which is currently used for its fruit and vegetable boxes, is set to be removed entirely by the end of next year.

Last week, the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment report found that virgin plastic packaging across the food sector increased by 4% between 2020 and 2021, despite many companies having a 16% reduction target by 2025.

Food also has the lowest average share of reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic packaging at 27%.