Low-Carbon and Circular Materials Strategy for Plastics 2026
Plastics represent a significant contributor to product manufacturing emissions across the DIY sector. As regulatory pressure, investor expectations and customer scrutiny increase, reducing reliance on virgin fossil-based plastics is critical to delivering credible decarbonisation.
The Solution
The Make It Zero initiative has developed the official Low-Carbon and Circular Materials Strategy for Plastics 2026 to position the DIY sector to cut plastic‑related emissions by 15% and accelerate circularity. To achieve this reduction, the strategy suggests a minimum target of 35% recycled plastic content in the plastics used in DIY, Home Improvement, and Garden (DIY) products by 2035.
The strategy outlines key actions required from retailers and suppliers to meet this ambition, including setting clear recycled-content targets, embedding recycling requirements into sourcing, integrating recycled plastics into supplier roadmaps, improving design and manufacturing processes, and expanding the use of recycled feedstocks.
The Ambition
A minimum ambition of 35% recycled plastic content by 2035 offers a practical yet impactful target, aligned with leading industry benchmarks.
Achieving this level of adoption could unlock substantial Scope 3 emissions reductions while providing a clear and flexible framework that encourages members to exceed the minimum where feasible.