Shaping the Future of Plastics: 2026 RECOUP Award Winners Announced

This year’s RECOUP Awards celebrated the outstanding achievements, innovation and collaboration taking place across the plastics value chain in re-use, recycling and resource efficiency.

Held on 30 September 2026, the awards brought together industry leaders, innovators and sustainability champions to recognise the organisations and individuals driving positive change within the plastics and recycling sector. With strong participation across all categories, the awards showcased the breadth of talent, commitment and ingenuity helping to advance plastics circularity throughout the UK.

Adding to the sustainability credentials of the event, the 2026 RECOUP Awards themselves were designed and manufactured by Future Makers UK. These bespoke trophies feature Marble Carpet, a recycled polypropylene sheet material with a distinctive marbled finish, made from recovered packaging and event flooring.

Developed and manufactured in Nottingham, Marble Carpet combines post-industrial and post-consumer recycled polypropylene into a durable, refined surface, demonstrating how recovered plastics can be transformed into high-value materials for design and manufacture.

Inspired by RECOUP’s branding, the awards transform recovered material into a lasting recognition of excellence, reflecting the principles of circularity, innovation and resource efficiency celebrated by the awards themselves.

The 2026 RECOUP Award winners are:

Best Innovation in Equipment or Technology: Greyparrot – Deepnest by Greyparrot

Recycled Plastic Product of the Year: Klöckner Pentaplast – kp Elite® Nova

Plastics Circularity Project of the Year: WRAP – The UK Plastics Pact

Best Plastic Product Development for Recyclability or Re-Use: Klöckner Pentaplast – kp Elite® Nova

RECOUP Award of Recognition: Sherbourne Recycling

Each of this year’s winners has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and dedication to creating practical solutions that support a more circular plastics system. Their achievements highlight the progress being made across the sector and provide inspiration for future developments in sustainable plastics management.

Commenting on the awards, Stuart Foster, CEO of RECOUP, said:

“The RECOUP Awards continue to showcase the innovation, commitment and expertise that exists across the plastics value chain. Every year we are inspired by the quality of entries and the determination of organisations and individuals working to create a more resource-efficient and circular future for plastics. Congratulations to all our winners and finalists, whose achievements demonstrate the positive impact that collaboration, creativity and ambition can deliver.”

RECOUP would like to thank all those who submitted entries, along with the judges, sponsors and attendees who contributed to the success of this year’s awards. The calibre of entries received reflects the continued progress being made across the sector and reinforces the importance of recognising and celebrating best practice.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. Through innovation, collaboration and leadership, they are helping to shape a more sustainable future for plastics.