With manufacturers, retailers and consumers demanding and seeking more sustainable solutions, companies are keen to promote their environmental credentials at every opportunity. It is essential, however, that all claims can be corroborated and are not exaggerated.

In order to continue to increase recycling rates and resource efficiency, it is vital that we improve understanding about all aspects of the process, not just among consumers but also the wider recycling industry.

The perennial challenge facing us as a society is that, while everybody is agreed that leaving plastics in the environment has adverse effects on nature, plastics play a vital role in our daily lives.

While business-to-business systems for reuse and refill have been in place for some time, it will be the ongoing development of business-to-consumer versions that will make a significant contribution to establishing long-term solutions for resource efficiency and the circular economy.

Any change in national or international environmental policy will almost certainly have an impact on the plastic industry. At RECOUP, we are committed to being a key voice in shaping environmental policy, so that new policies are designed and implemented in a way that is practical, progressive and purposeful.

An effective plastics recycling infrastructure throughout the UK is essential. The ability domestically to collect, sort and reprocess the material will help to reduce the reliance on the export of plastic waste to other countries.

A critical issue facing manufacturers of plastic packaging & products, and the brand owners who use their solutions, is how best to achieve recyclability in a way that is practical and cost-effective.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool to assess the environmental impact of products, goods and services across their life cycle. The effective use of LCAs enables informed evidence-based decisions on product development and design, supports supply chain and procurement decisions, tracks performance over time of packaging changes, improves overall environmental outcomes in line with strategy and policy, and challenges misinformation and greenwash.

With over 30 years of experience in recycling and resource efficiency, the RECOUP team are able to manage and deliver bespoke projects and research for your organisation. Contact us to explore our comprehensive, tailored solutions for achieving your resources, circular economy and sustainability objectives!