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Wrap has hinted that packaging could feature strongly in its new business plan, due to be published next Wednesday.

Speaking at a conference in London today (5 June), Wrap chief executive Liz Goodwin said packaging was a "central part of the waste and resource debate," and would be "one of the top priority areas" of the new business plan.

The aim of the conference was to publish results of Wrap's research into mixed plastic and non-bottle packaging.

The body concluded it was "technically, environmentally and economically viable" for the UK to undertake the recycling and reprocessing of mixed plastics from the domestic waste stream.

Goodwin added that the goal was to have a plant which can handle 40,000 tonnes per year up and running by the end of the business plan in 2011.

The research found that, in terms of overall environmental impact, incineration was the least favourable option, but recycling was not always the best.

David Smith, head of the resource and environment group at Scott Wilson, which was involved in the trials, said: "Reprocessing is the best option when you're processing a high-quality recyclate. If not, it's not worth searching for other options, such as turning it into fuel."