Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag

Julia is joined by Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, a startup that's developed technology to help brands and retailers tag and trace their plastic packaging.

Alice shares her perspective on the problems with our current recycling system and the lack of data on what happens with packaging once the product has been consumed. Plus, she talks to Julia about what to expect from Deposit Return Schemes, Extended Producer Responsibility and the new UN plastic waste treaty - and why the QR code is finally having its moment in the sun.

Articles discussed by Alice and Julia:

Global plastics lifecycle ‘far from circular’, OECD says | letsrecycle.com

World leaders agree to draw up ‘historic’ treaty on plastic pollution | FT

Will Coinbase’s Super Bowl ad really change the landscape of TV QR codes? | The Drum

Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:

Marks and Spencer chief to step down | FT

War in Ukraine: McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Starbucks halt Russian sales | BBC News

Unilever commits to annual nutritional report | Food Dive

Irish dairy and beef farmers urged to grow crops amid Ukraine shortage fears | The Guardian

Greggs to increase price of sausage rolls despite record sales of £1.23bn | The Times

Asda adds 100 greengrocers to stores as Issa brothers revamp fresh offer | The Grocer

Waitrose and Aldi to stop selling disposable barbecues | The Guardian

Morrisons launches salad refill box rental scheme to reduce plastic | The Grocer