Shaping the Future of Plastics: 2025 RECOUP Award Winners Announced

This year’s RECOUP Awards once again celebrated the outstanding work being carried out across the plastics value chain in re-use, recycling, and re-design.

Held on the evening before the highly anticipated RECOUP Conference, the awards attracted strong participation and generated significant interest from across the plastics resources and recycling sector, with impressive entries submitted in every category.

The awards presented, highlighted the achievements of organisations and individuals driving innovation and progress in plastics circularity. The 2025 category winners are:

Best Innovation in Equipment or Technology: Circular&Co. – TAP&REUSE™
Recycled Plastic Product of the Year: Mondelēz International – Cadbury Sharing Bars 80% Recycled Plastic
Plastics Circularity Project of the Year – Packaging: Polytag Limited – Ecotrace Programme
Plastics Circularity Project of the Year – Other: Indorama Ventures – Waste Hero Education
Best Plastic Product Development for Recyclability or Re-Use: Amcor – Reusable cup portfolio
Plastics Industry Champion: Paul Davidson – Innovate UK
RECOUP Award of Recognition: Adrian Whyle

Each of the winners has demonstrated leadership, creativity, and commitment to building a more sustainable plastics system, inspiring change across the UK and beyond.

The following day, the RECOUP Conference brought together a wide range of speakers and delegates to explore the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Discussions highlighted the need for faster progress, greater collaboration across the value chain, and the essential role of consumers in shaping the future of sustainable plastics.

Reflecting on the event, Stuart Foster, CEO of RECOUP, said:

“This year’s conference and awards dinner offered exactly the kind of open, insightful space we need – where innovators, industry leaders, policy makers and practitioners can come together to challenge assumptions, share real-world solutions, and spark the collaborations that will move the plastics sector forward. With evolving legislation, increasing demand for sustainable alternatives, and the urgency of climate targets, the time for action is now. I’m grateful to all who contributed – from speakers to delegates, judges to entrants – for making this gathering a catalyst for change.”

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who submitted entries. The drive for innovation and collaboration is essential as we continue working toward a circular and sustainable future for plastics. Details for next year’s awards, dinner, and conference will be announced in due course – don’t miss your chance to take part.

Events

Posted: 23/09/2025

M3P3 to unite the materials, minerals and mining community in Birmingham

The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) will host Materials, Minerals and Mining for People, Places, Planet (M3P3) on 11–12 November 2025 at Millennium Point, Birmingham.

M3P3 brings together over 22 technical communities for two days of insight, debate and collaboration. Delegates will hear from experts and policymakers on industrial strategy, AI, circular economy, critical minerals, infrastructure and the skills pipeline.

A key highlight is the Circular Economy plenary, part of the Changemakers in Conversation sessions. The session will explore how the UK can rethink the way resources are used, keep materials in circulation and design out waste. With the UK Government’s upcoming Circular Economy Strategy shaping the landscape, speakers will discuss practical steps for sectors to lead the way towards more sustainable growth.

Speakers include Mary Creagh CBE MP, Minister for Nature; Libby Peake, Senior Fellow and Head of Resource Policy at Green Alliance; Professor Mark Miodownik MBE FREng CEng HonFIMMM, Professor of Materials and Society at University College London; and Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland.

Other highlights include four Changemakers in Conversation plenaries, twelve interactive Topical Knowledge Exchange Sessions, IOM3 Training Academy taster workshops, satellite conferences on timber, bio-based polymers and materials for fission and fusion net-zero, and a dedicated student and early careers programme.

Keynote speakers include Ed Conway HonFIMMM, Economics Editor at Sky News; Mary Creagh CBE MP, Minister for Nature in Defra; Sarah Mukherjee MBE, CEO of ISEP; and David Knowles FREng CEng CSci FIMMM, CEO of Henry Royce Institute.Dr Colin Church CEnv FIMMM, CEO of IOM3, said:

‘M3P3 is about more than technical discussion. It is about exploring sustainable solutions and how we can use materials more responsibly. By bringing together our community, we are creating a space where people can connect, collaborate and influence what comes next.’

M3P3 is open to all, with one-day and two-day passes available. Delegates can connect, share ideas and explore the developments shaping the sector.11 – 12 November 2025 | Millennium Point, Birmingham: iom3.info/m3p3

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