It is a startling figure from the Local Government Association who have been analysing the types of plastics that are used to package foods from fruit and vegetables to yogurts, margarine and microwave meals. Around 525,000 tons of plastic pots, tubs and trays are collected from UK households each year, but just 169,145 tons can actually be recycled, analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA) shows. Councils said they had done all they can to tackle plastic waste, with 99 per cent of local authorities collecting plastic bottles for recycling and 77 per cent picking up pots, tubs and trays. “The only reason we have black plastic being used by manufacturers is that it makes the food look good.”

When it comes to punnets of fruit and vegetables many are made from up to three different types of plastic, including polystyrene, which can’t be recycled. Manufacturers should work with councils and develop a plan to stop unrecyclable plastic being used, the Government should consider a ban on low-grade plastics and producers should contribute to the cost of collecting or disposing of the products, the LGA urged. Margarine and ice cream tubs use polypropylene, which is extremely difficult to recycle, but they could be made with the plastic used for water bottles which can be easily recycled. Black plastic 'impossible to recycle'

The LGA says simple tweaks could make a massive difference, highlighting the case of microwave meals which are often supplied in black plastic material. Fruit and vegetable punnets use three polymers in their construction, so councils are calling for a simpler design using recyclable materials. Yogurt pots use a mixture of two polymers, polypropylene and polystyrene, which are difficult to recycle but some companies now use the same material as used for plastic bottles, making them easily recyclable. • Baked goods trays: The lining on these trays for cakes and baked goods is often made from difficult to recycle materials. "We need an industry-wide, collaborative approach where together we can reduce the amount of material having an impact on the environment," said Cllr Judith Blake, who is the LGA environment spokesperson. That needs to happen urgently, but the Government should now consider banning low-grade plastics, particularly those for single use, in order to increase recycling.’

Britain is on the verge of burning more waste than it recycles for the first time, with some councils sending more than 80 per cent of rubbish for incineration. “If manufacturers don’t want to get serious about producing material which can be recycled and protecting our environment, then they should at least contribute towards the cost that local taxpayers have to pay to clear it up.”

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokeswoman said: “Our recycling rates are rising, less waste is now sent to landfill and separate food waste collections are increasing. ‘That’s why we are we are working with industry to improve the nation’s recycling rates further, including by making more products recyclable.’

Stephen Hunt, of the British Plastics Federation, said: ‘The LGA may be surprised to learn how closely our aims and objectives align to theirs and we would be delighted to work more closely with local authorities to discuss waste management issues.
England's Local Government Association reports that approximately two-thirds of plastic objects which reach recycling facilities cannot be recycled, due to the mix of polymers used by producers.