Plastic pollution and nature: how businesses can help protect biodiversity
Plastic pollution overview
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that the equivalent of 2,000 rubbish trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes every day. Despite growing awareness, plastic production continues to increase globally, with around half of all plastic produced designed for single-use applications.
Plastic pollution remains one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges, with consequences for wildlife, ecosystems and biodiversity being felt across the globe. From oceans and rivers to soils and food chains, plastic pollution is affecting nature on a global scale.
Businesses are also facing increasing pressure to act. New regulations, sustainability commitments and changing consumer expectations are driving organisations to rethink how plastic is used, managed and ultimately reduced.
allmanhall explore the impact of plastic pollution on nature, the growing concerns around microplastics, how food manufacturers are responding, and the practical steps organisations can take to reduce waste across their own operations.
Plastic pollution in our oceans
Plastics that end up in the sea loosely fall into three categories:
- Marine debris – larger plastic items that can be easily seen.
- Microplastics – fragments smaller than 5mm that result from the breakdown of larger plastic products. Learn more about the impact of microplastics.
- Microfibres – tiny synthetic fibres shed from clothing and textiles during washing.
All three present significant risks to marine ecosystems. Wildlife can become entangled in larger items or mistake plastics for food, while microplastics are now found throughout the marine food chain.
Most ocean plastic originates from land-based sources. By weight, around 70–80% enters the marine environment through rivers, coastlines and inadequate waste management systems, while the remaining 20–30% comes from marine activities such as fishing equipment and shipping.
Plastic pollution and biodiversity
Plastic pollution affects far more than our oceans. It is increasingly recognised as a significant threat to biodiversity, impacting habitats both on land and at sea.
Wildlife can become injured or killed through ingestion and entanglement, while plastic waste can damage habitats, transport invasive species and introduce harmful chemicals into ecosystems. Scientists estimate that hundreds of marine and coastal species are affected by plastic pollution, with impacts being felt throughout entire food webs.
Plastic pollution contributes to biodiversity loss through:
- Physical harm to wildlife through ingestion and entanglement
- Habitat degradation
- Chemical contamination
- The transportation of invasive species
- Disruption of food chains and ecosystems
As larger plastics break down into smaller fragments, they become increasingly difficult to remove from the environment. These particles can persist for decades, creating long-term challenges for ecosystems and future generations.
The growing concern around microplastics
Scientists have now detected microplastics in oceans, rivers, soils, food products, drinking water and even the human body. Research has identified microplastics in human blood, lungs, placental tissue and other organs, demonstrating how widespread exposure has become.
Although scientists are still investigating the full health implications, growing evidence suggests that microplastics may contribute to inflammation, disrupt biological processes and potentially carry harmful chemicals into the body. Recent studies have also raised concerns about possible impacts on reproductive health and hormone function.
For nature, the concern is equally significant. Microplastics are now found throughout ecosystems and food chains, where they can be consumed by organisms ranging from plankton to fish, birds and mammals.
Importantly, experts stress that much remains unknown. However, the presence of microplastics throughout the environment highlights the importance of preventing plastic pollution at source rather than relying solely on downstream clean-up efforts.
Plastic packaging remains a key challenge
In the UK, plastic packaging continues to account for the majority of plastic waste. According to WRAP, packaging represents nearly 70% of all plastic waste generated in the UK, with consumer goods packaging accounting for a significant proportion of this total.
While recycling rates have improved, we still recycle just 45% of plastics in the UK. Substantial quantities of plastic packaging still end up being exported, incinerated or sent to landfill. Plastic production, use and disposal also contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions.
This highlights an important point: recycling alone cannot solve the plastic problem.
Increasingly, governments, businesses and environmental organisations are focusing on the principles of the circular economy, where materials are designed to remain in use for as long as possible through reduction and reuse as well as recycling.
Geopolitical pressures are impacting plastic markets
Alongside environmental concerns, businesses are also facing increasing commercial challenges linked to plastics and packaging.
Recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have created significant disruption across global energy and logistics markets, increasing volatility in crude oil prices and creating uncertainty throughout supply chains. As many plastics, polymers and packaging materials are derived from petrochemicals, movements in oil and energy markets can have a direct impact on manufacturing costs.
The foodservice sector is already seeing inflationary pressures across disposables, packaging and chemical products, with several manufacturers announcing price increases linked to higher raw material, energy and transportation costs. Ongoing disruption to shipping routes and increased freight and insurance costs are adding further pressure across global supply chains.
While businesses continue to focus on reducing plastic pollution and protecting nature, these developments highlight another challenge facing the industry: balancing sustainability ambitions with rising costs and ongoing supply chain volatility.
Policy developments
In 2018 the UK Government set an ambition for all plastic packaging placed on the market to be recyclable, reusable or compostable.
More recently, the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which came into force in 2025, has introduced new requirements designed to reduce packaging waste, improve recyclability and encourage reuse.
At a global level, countries continue to negotiate a legally binding international treaty on plastic pollution under the leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme. The objective is to address the full lifecycle of plastics, from production through to disposal.
Many experts believe that reducing plastic production itself will be essential if meaningful progress is to be achieved.
How are food manufacturers tackling plastic waste?
As concerns grow over the impact of plastic pollution on wildlife, ecosystems and biodiversity, many of the world’s largest manufacturers are investing in solutions designed to reduce plastic waste and support a more circular economy.
Unilever is one of our key supplier partners and has clear commitments to reducing packaging waste and improving circularity. Recognising the complexities of recycling infrastructure across different markets, Unilever has evolved its plastics strategy in recent years, setting targets designed to drive meaningful progress while supporting more effective and scalable recycling systems globally.
In 2025, globally they:
- Reduced their virgin plastic footprint by 29% compared to 2019
- Achieved 25% recycled plastic across their packaging
- Achieved 57% of their plastic packaging as reusable, recyclable or compostable
- Collected and processed more plastic packaging than they sold
Unilever Food Solutions also recently launched the new Knorr Professional packaging sourced with recycled plastic via mass balance.
At Knorr Professional, they are committed to advancing sustainability, and they pursue their environmental responsibility and gradually integrate more sustainable elements into their activities.
Leading the way with recycled plastic via mass balance.
All of the Knorr Professional buckets and lids are recyclable, where local recycling systems allow. Knorr is also leading the way with the sourcing of recycled plastic for our packaging. In 2022, they became the first Global Food Service brand in the world to source recycled polypropylene plastic for their buckets and lids, (95% ISCC PLUS- certified mass balance recycled plastic. Labels are not included) using a mass balance approach. By the end of 2024, they saved 150 tons of virgin plastic from being produced for Knorr buckets.
But they’re not stopping there. In 2025, they’ve expanded their use of packaging linked to 95% ISCC-PLUS certified recycled plastic (mass balance). These buckets and lids have been rolled out as of from August across all of their Knorr Professional Savory range in Europe, which will help to further reduce their use of virgin plastic per year.
Protecting nature starts with action
Protecting biodiversity from plastic pollution starts with the decisions organisations make every day. From reviewing packaging choices and reducing unnecessary waste to engaging suppliers on sustainability initiatives, every action can help reduce the amount of plastic entering the natural environment.
allmanhall help organisations identify practical opportunities to reduce waste, improve sustainability performance and make informed purchasing decisions that support both commercial goals and environmental responsibility.
If you’re looking to reduce the environmental impact of your catering operation and play a part in protecting nature for future generations, get in touch with our team.